Patent Application
20220251870
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from co-pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/507,034, by Ronald A. DeWitt, “Trimmer Line Shield for Chain Link Fences” filed 10 Jul. 2019, which by this statement, is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Not Applicable.
Reference to Sequence Listing, a Table, or a Computer Program Listing Compact Disc Appendix
Not Applicable.
This innovation relates generally to chain link and wire mesh fences, and more specifically to edging or shields for controlling vegetation growth by preventing trimmer line from entangling the fence during trimming operations
A common problem with chain link and wire mesh fences is that it can be difficult to mow or trim the grass, weeds, and vegetation below and closely adjacent to the bottom of the fence. Trimmer line of an edger often gets wound around the wires of the fence stressing or breaking it causing premature consumption of the material.
Another common problem is that grass, weeds, and vegetation tend to grow below the bottom of the fence, and given an opportunity, may entangle in the open spaces at the lower edge of the fence material.
There are many patents that disclose L-shaped, or U-shaped, guards and vegetation barriers that are disposed at the bottom of a chain link or other types of fences and are intended to prevent the growth of vegetation and may also protect a trimmer line. The following are examples.
Niemann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,624 discloses a fence guard for restricting the growth of grass, weeds, and the like directly adjacent to or beneath a fence and for preventing a mower from striking the fence when mowing directly adjacent to it. The fence guard is a length of material which is L-shaped in cross-section which is abutted against one or both sides of the fence and may be affixed together to secure them against displacement.
Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,472, discloses a vegetation blocking fence edging assembly which includes a fence structure, a plurality of elongated edging strips, and a plurality of fence post edging structures. The fence structure includes a plurality of mounting posts between which a fencing medium extends.
The edging strip has U-shaped slots at its longitudinal ends which are adapted to be received around the fence mounting posts. The edging strip includes a longitudinally extending, generally J-shaped portion made up of a U-shaped portion for receiving the lower edge of the fence medium and a single guide edge for engaging one face of the fence.
Flanges extend from either side of the J-shaped portion at a downward angle to contact the ground. The flange portions are resilient plastic and bias the J-shaped portion and the U-shaped portion toward engagement with the fence lower edge. The fence post edging structure has a post engaging surface which is slightly smaller than the peripheral surface of the fence post such that it biases itself into firm engagement with the fence post periphery.
Groves, U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,349, discloses an integral fence associated vegetation barrier for eliminating growth of grass, or the like, having a base member, an integrally and upwardly extending leg arranged approximately centrally, or slightly off center thereof, projecting up a sufficient distance to allow for its tying to the bottom of any fence, incorporating a series of apertures therein to facilitate the tying of the barrier to the bottom of the fence, and also having a plurality of spatially arranged drainage openings to facilitate the flow of rain or water therethrough.
Cobler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,388, discloses a fence guard which utilizes first and second L-shaped panel members having vertical and horizontal leg members. The vertical leg of each panel is positioned on opposed sides of a chain-link fence with the bottom edge of the fence being positioned in a channel defined therebetween.
Prior to connection of the first panel to the second panel by means of nuts, bolts, clips etc., a strip of batt insulation is placed between the bottom edge of the fence and the vertical leg of one of the panel members. Upon connection of the panels, the insulation is compressed between the panel and the fences to urge the insulation material through the open portions/interstices of the adjacent fence for contact with the interior face of the vertical leg of the opposed panel. The insulation material fills the resulting channel to preclude entry of moisture and/or sunlight on the ground beneath the fence line to inhibit the undesirable growth of vegetation between the panels and below the fence line.
Fisk, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,783, discloses a chain link fence lower edging strip which comprises an extruded flat strip of plastic having a pair of centrally molded parallel grooves that form pre-creased hinges allowing the extruded strip to be placed under a lower edge of a chain link fence and then folded upwardly into a U-shaped configuration. The outer top edges of the folded plastic strip are continuous molded fasteners that lockingly engage to a plurality of connectors passing through the openings in wire mesh of the chain link fence.
Grubba, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,458, discloses two embodiments of fence bottom shields that prevent grass and weeds from growing up through the links or low openings in a fence. The first embodiment comprises a first strip and a second strip whose bottoms are integrally connected. Two end tabs are attached to one end of the first strip and the second strip, and a tab receiving slot is defined by the opposing end of the first strip and the second strip.
A plurality of screw holes is defined by holes in the end tabs and the sidewalls of the first strip and second strip. Two fence bottom shields can be joined by inserting the end tab into the tab receiving slot and inserting two screws into the screw holes. The second embodiment comprises a first strip connected to a second strip by a bottom tab inserted into a bottom slot that is secured by a bolt and nut.
Two end tabs are attached to one end of the first strip and the second strip, and a tab receiving slot is defined by the opposing end of the first strip and the second strip. Two fence bottom shields can be joined by snapping together the end tabs and the tab receiving slot. In both embodiments, a fence slot is defined by the sidewalls of the first strip and second strip.
Petrozziello, U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,096, discloses a combination a fence and a protective guard. The fence has vertical posts with upper ends and at least one top support bar extending between the vertical posts. The protective guard includes a tubular member having first and second ends, an outer surface extending between the first and second ends, an inner surface extending between the first and second ends that defines an interior space, and a slot extending between the inner and outer surfaces and the first and second ends of the tubular member.
The tubular member is secured over an upper edge of the fence so that the upper ends of the vertical posts and the at least one top support bar are captured within the interior space of the tubular member. In one embodiment, the combination also includes a spacer positioned between the inner surface of the tubular member and the at least one top support bar for supporting the tubular member between the vertical posts, and an insulation foam material disposed in the slot and the interior space of the tubular member for sealing the interior space of the tubular member and preventing insects, such as bees, or small animals from building nests in the tubular guard.
Frazier, U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,624, discloses a fence engageable weed barrier system which includes a fence that is mounted in and extends upwardly from a ground surface. The fence includes a fence section comprising at least one post and a dividing wall attached to and extending laterally away from the at least one post.
Each of a plurality of primary barriers is positioned beneath the fence section and receives a bottom edge of the dividing wall to prevent weed growth beneath the fence section. Each of the primary barriers includes a base wall that has a top side a front edge and a back edge.
A back wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the back edge. A front wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the front edge. A dividing wall receiving space is defined between the front and back walls and receives the bottom edge of the dividing wall.
Kauffman, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,175, discloses a fenceliner for inhibiting growth of grass, weeds, and other vegetation beneath and closely adjacent a fence so as to make cutting or trimming of such vegetation unnecessary, and for inhibiting passage of small animals across the border defined by the fence. The fenceliner can be provided as a coiled strip of thin flexible material such as plastic or metal. The thin material is uncoiled and rolled out along the length of the fence and is cut to fit around fence posts. Preferably the material is colored to closely simulate the coloring of the surrounding vegetation. A centrally located longitudinal recess in the strip receives the bottom of the fence panels. Symmetric legs extend outwardly and downwardly from the recess to cover the ground closely adjacent to the fence. The legs have sufficient spring tension to bias the recess against the bottom of the fence panels when the fenceliner is in position on the ground beneath the fence.
Glidden, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,619 discloses an improved vegetation barrier installed along the bottom edge of a chain-link or similar type fence, in a manner that will beautify a lawn and reduce grooming time. The fence frame is a system of molded vegetation barriers that are installed easily with few or no tools.
The fence frame consists of elongated molded vegetation barriers, preferably plastic, having two basic cross-sectional shapes. One has a basically rectangular shape, and the other has basically an L-shaped cross-section. Both types are longitudinally grooved to receive a series of upper spring clip brackets and corresponding base brackets that secure the vegetation barriers to the fence bottom and the underlying ground. Both types, in addition, are longitudinally grooved to receive uniquely designed splice covers, and post adapters that are snapped into position without the use of tools.
The basic molding styles may be used singularly on one side of a fence or in combination using like or unlike styles on opposite sides. The molded barriers are of sufficient rigidity to protect the fence from the impact of mowing and trimming devices, and at the same time, serve as a guide for these devices. In a preferred form of the invention, the barriers are molded to give the appearance of a border of brick, stone, or a variety of decorative patterns.
Hoke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,156, discloses a self-attaching fence trim guard comprising A generally “U” shaped self-adhering plastic extrusion is firmly fitted to the bottom portion of a chain link or wooden fence without fasteners. Upstanding walls of the elongated plastic body are tapered towards the center having a neck for accepting the fence and a curved bottom to provide a channel on each side to rapidly drain off water. The tapered walls grip the fence in frictional engagement to hold the body member in place.
The assembly includes short coupler members shaped to slide longitudinally in close frictional engagement over the outer surface of the body members where abutting ends are found. Couplers help secure the body members in place and cover the joint. The raised central ridge running along the length of the bottom positions the edge protector with respect to the bottom of the fence and holds the bottom of the fence elevated above drainage channels to protect the fence from moisture or termite damage.
Kinnison, U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,866, discloses a vegetation barrier device for use in association with the lowermost extremity of a fence is constructed of a first member having an L-shaped extruded configuration and a second member in the form of an elongated flat strip. The two members are assembled upon the fence by bolts which penetrate the fence and both members to form a U-shaped structure defining an interior region capable of releasably holding a water leachable insecticidal agent.
My previous U.S. Pat. No. 9,840,853, disclosed an edging and vegetation guard assembly which included at least one pair of elongate first and second base members each having a vertical front wall with a generally rectangular upper portion that are installed on opposed sides of the bottom of a chain link or wire mesh fence in parallel opposed relation and form a generally rectangular enclosure along the bottom of the fence which is filled with foam insulation material for preventing a mower or line of an edger from striking the fence when mowing or edging adjacent to it, and inhibit the undesirable growth of vegetation below the bottom of the fence and between the open spaces adjacent to the bottom of the fence.
Himmelreich, US Published Application No. 2004/0000665, discloses a fence liner for placement on the ground to prevent the growth of plant material underneath a fence, which has a fixed width and a length that can either be cut to cover a desired area or fixed lengths of the fence liner can be used together to cover a given area. The fence liner includes a top portion, a bottom portion and two reinforced edge sections running the length of the fence liner and contacting the ground.
In one embodiment, two or more support sections are provided; the two or more support sections formed along the length of the fence liner. A base of each of the support section contacts the ground, the fence liner includes one or more tab connection areas, which are used to connect two lengths of the fence liner.
Laird, US Published Application No. 2009/0272954, discloses a fence edge guard including an elongated channel-shaped body member having a bottom, and upstanding opposed sidewalls extending upwardly from opposed side edges of the bottom and terminating at an open top, and an interior elongated channel defined by the bottom and said sidewalls. A plurality of openings is longitudinally spaced along bottom.
A plurality of spring means is spaced longitudinally along the body for securing the body along the bottom edge of a chain link fence such that the bottom of the fence edge guard is urged upwardly towards the bottom edge of the chain link fence. The fence edge guard is useful in preventing vegetation from growing through the opens of the chain link fence, preventing damage and excess wear on the line trimmer material, and for providing a gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground to permit trimming of vegetation below the fence.
Disclosed herein is a trimmer line shield formed of an elongated strip of stiff plastic extrusion having a generally t-shaped transverse cross section. The trimmer line shield is inserted into the ground beneath the wire mesh of a fence and the upper end, having a generally L-shaped traverse cross section, is secured to the wire mesh of the fence.
A typical fence installation comprises a wire mesh tensioned between end post and/or corner post and may be tied to and supported, along with a top rail by intermediate post along the mesh length. The shield's main body, the elongated strip preferably extends between end post and corner post and is secured thereto by terminal mounts in general alignment with tension bars of a typical fence configuration. The strip is supported by anchor mounts where is passes intermediate post where the fence is secured by fence ties.
The trimmer line shield disclosed herein is formed of an elongated strip of stiff plastic extrusion having a longitudinally extending vertical main body portion of generally t-shaped transverse cross section. The main body portion of the elongated strip has a tapered bottom end, a blade, for inserting into the ground beneath the wire mesh of a fence and a top end having a generally L-shaped traverse cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence. The main body tapered bottom end is distinguished from the main body's central portion by a pair of flat stop flange members disposed a distance above the bottom end extending laterally outward beyond each side of the main body portion.
The main body top end is distinguished from the central portion and comprised of a longitudinally extending upper flange extending laterally outward from one side of the main body, the front side, disposed a distance below the upper end of the main body portion and having a generally L-shaped travers cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence. The upper flange and the upper end of the main body may include grooves or holes passing therethrough for a tie, fastener, ring, or other means of securing the fence's wire mesh thereto.
The main body portion is secured to end and/or corner post by terminal mounts having a shield slot into which the central portion of the main body engages, and a curved face with optional fastener channels extending from the face through the mount for securing to an end and/or corner post.
The ends of the shield slot are tapered to provide a smooth transition with the main body's central portion. The curved face is also tapered to smoothly transition to the post. Generally, all parts, except for the lower tapered end, the blade, are tapered, or rounded to prevent sharp edges or corners which may be harmful to people or animals, and which may catch or strain a trimmer line during edging operations.
The main body portion is braced to intermediate post by an anchor mount comprising a curved face for engaging the post and tapering outward laterally in either direction to mate with a side of the main body's central portion. The anchor mount may be secured by hardware screwed through the main body's central portion, extending through optional holes or channels, and into the intermediate post.
In an alternative embodiment a glue or double-sided tape may secure the mounts to the post and to the main body's central portion. This embodiment provides for filling of any gaps or voids with adhesives which prevents vegetation encroachment, but lacks the easy removability functions of screws, ties, or other fasteners. In other embodiments, the fasteners may pass through elongated holes allowing movement in the longitudinal direction for accommodating thermal expansion.
The preferred embodiment uses a stiff plastic construction material which may vary in rigidity due to thickness based on specific application. In other embodiments differing materials may be molded or extruded for the purpose depending on such factors as cost, durability, safety, etc.
By its positioning along a fence line under the fencing's mesh material and through securing to the mesh and the fence's supporting post, the trimmer line shield deflects vegetation from growing upward through the spaces of the mesh and provides a crisp edged look to a fence which is easier to maintain than unshielded fences.
To install, elongated strips of the shield are driven into the ground extending between the vertical end and corner post. The shield should pass beside intermediate post on the same side as the fence mesh. Terminal mounts are attached to the strip ends and secured to the post. Anchor mounts are then placed at intermediate post and the shield is secured thereto.
The trimmer line shield may include a plurality of holes or a channel for securing a plurality of fasteners configured to extend through the holes of the shield and through the open spaces adjacent to the bottom portion of the chain link fence. This secures the bottom portion of the chain link fence to the trimmer line shield at selected locations.
The fasteners securing the wire mesh to the top of the shield strip are referred to as fence ties, or fence clips, but are also known to those skilled in the arts as hog rings, C-clips, D-rings, fence ties, pull ties, cable ties, etcetera all of which serve a similar function in the innovation presented.
Though it is desired to have single elongated strips of the shield's main body portion extend the length of a fence line, it may not be possible without intermediate joints. Joining two lengths may be accomplished by using terminal mounts at a close intermediate post. An alternative to the anchor mount may incorporate shield slots at each of the tapered ends distal the post's curved side.
Ideally, the trimmer line shield is installed along with the fence. This allows the trimmer line shield to be driven into the ground to extend between vertical fence posts and the chain link fence is then installed between the posts such that its bottom end engages the flat top portion of the shield to prevent the line of a grass trimmer from striking and becoming entangled in the open spaces adjacent to the bottom portion of the chain link fence.
This prevents the need for varying heights of the trimmer shield to maintain spacing between the ground surface and the bottom of the fence while still inhibiting the undesirable growth of vegetation into the open spaces between the wire members along the bottom of the fence.
For longer runs of fence it may be necessary to break-up the run into segments with intermediate post 130. The intermediate post 130 supports the top rail 120 and prevent side to side deflection or bowing from the fence line. In addition to preventing bowing intermediate post 130 add additional support to the top rail 120 for support the weight of the wire mesh 140.
Depending on the security requirements or other environmental issues, the bottom of a chain link fence 100 may be tensioned against bowing by a tension wire 160 or a tension bar 160′. Once there is a secure frame extending along the fence line, tension bars 150 are used to evenly apply tension across the mesh 140 with minimal tension bands 155.
Finally the wire mesh 140 is secured to the fence's 100 frame components, the top rail 120 and intermediate posts 130 with fence ties 170. If one or more tension bars 160′ are used at the bottom, or mid-line of the fence, then fence ties 170 are also needed to secure the wire mesh 140 thereto. If tension wires 160 are used rather than tension bars 160′, the tension wire 160 may be woven through the fence mesh 140 as an alternative to fence ties 170.
The main body portion 210 of the elongated strip has a tapered bottom end 220, a blade and a top end 240 having a generally L-shaped traverse cross section, joined by a variable length central section 250. The main body's 210 tapered bottom end 220 is distinguished from the central section 250 by a pair of flat stop flange members 230 extending laterally outward beyond each side of the main body portion 210.
The main body top end 240 comprises a longitudinally extending upper flange 245 extending laterally outward from one side of the main body 210 disposed a distance below the upper end 243 of the main body portion 210 and having a generally L-shaped travers cross section for engaging the wire mesh of the fence.
The main body top end 240 may be rounded (as illustrated in
The central section 250 varies in height to position the top end 240 such that it engages the lower edge of the fence's wire mesh 140, which is secured thereto with a C-Clip 170′ passing through a space S between wires W of the wire mesh 140. A cross section 4 is shown in
The curved post side 320 is adjacent to the post 130. The flat shield side 325 is adjacent to the central section 250 of the main body portion 210 and tapers 335 forming a wedge in both directions perpendicular to the intermediate post 130.
The anchor mount 340 may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated through the main body's 210 central section 250, extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the intermediate post 130.
The terminal mount 300A has a convex curved post side 320 and a shield slot 330 extending outward from the mount's 300A distal side. In one embodiment the shield slot 330 is radially aligned with the end post's 110 central axis. In another embodiment the shield slot 330 is tangentially aligned with the end post's 110 exterior surface.
In one embodiment, the terminal mount 300A may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the end post 110. In another embodiment an adhesive may be used to secure a mount 300 to the post 110.
The terminal mount 300B has a convex curved post side 320 and a plurality of shield slots 330 extending outward from other sides of the mount 300B. In one embodiment the shield slots 330 are radially aligned with the corner post's 110 central axis. In another embodiment the shield slots 330 are tangentially aligned with the corner post's 110 exterior surface.
In one embodiment, the terminal mount 300B may be secured by hardware 350, not illustrated extending through optional holes or channels 310, and into the corner post 110. In another embodiment an adhesive may be used to secure a mount 300 to the post 110.
The trimmer line shield's 200 main body extrusions 210 extend between the corner/end post 110 and pass beside intermediate post 130. Terminal mounts 300A & 300B secured to the post are slotted onto the ends of elongated strips 210. Anchor mounts brace the central section 250, not indicated of elongated strips 210 to intermediate post 130 where adjacently located.
The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present innovation are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the innovation. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the innovation to the proportions illustrated.
Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularity may be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could vary in detail.
Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the innovation.
The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present innovation. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16507034 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Child | 17590829 | US |
