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Description  |
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to area defining materials and, more
particularly, is directed to panel assemblies that are adapted to be
inserted into a receiving medium to form edging or forms for molding
materials into predetermined shapes.
2. Description of the Invention Background
One type of home improvement that a homeowner can undertake to increase the
value and appearance of his home is to have the surrounding property
attractively landscaped. Landscaping may encompass the addition of various
landscaping mediums such as lava rock, river rock, pine mulch and the like
to various areas around the house and planting small plants and shrubs
therein. A larger scale landscaping project might include the addition of
a concrete patio or walkway.
Landscaping edging is typically used in landscaping projects to create a
discrete edge or barrier between the landscaping medium and the adjacent
turf. A variety of materials have been heretofore used as landscaping
edging. One type of landscaping edging is formed from a generally flexible
plastic material that is adapted to be received in a shallow excavation
made in the turf. In addition, retaining spikes or hook-shaped retaining
devices may be pounded into the turf to secure the edging in position.
That type of landscaping edging typically is manufactured in rolls and has
an enlarged rim formed therein to create a retaining border between the
landscaping medium and the adjacent turf. While such type of landscaping
edging is well adapted for creating various curvilinear boundaries between
the landscaping medium and the adjacent turf, it is ill-suited for
creating landscaping boarders having various angular corners and turns
therein. Further, such edging is awkward to install and often becomes
dislodged thereby obviating its utility.
Other types of landscaping edging may consist of more rigid members such as
bricks, railroad ties and the like. Those types of landscaping edging
materials can be used to create polygonal shaped borders that have
relatively square or angled corners therein, but they are not well-adapted
for creating curvilinear landscaping borders. For example, railroad ties
cannot be used to create a circular shaped planting area.
As noted above, a homeowner's landscaping plans may also include the
addition of a concrete patio or walkway. To create a concrete patio, for
example, an excavation must be made to accommodate a form structure that
serves to receive the concrete mix and retain it in a desired shape until
the concrete has solidified or cured. Form structures for pouring concrete
are typically constructed from wooden planks and plywood that are nailed
together in a desired configuration. A form structure is generally
constructed with substantially smooth side members so that when the
concrete has cured and the form is removed, the sides of the concrete
configuration will also have substantially smooth or planar sides.
Wooden form structures, however, have a number of disadvantages. In
particular, if the wood is to be salvaged after the concrete has cured,
the disassembly process can be very time consuming. For example, nails
must be carefully pulled out of the wood to avoid splintering and the
residual concrete adhering to the wood must be removed. Further, the
wooden form structures, over time, begin to rot and deteriorate due to
exposure to the moisture in the concrete mixture. Finally, wooden form
structures are not well adapted for creating various curvilinear shapes
such as circular or oval shaped members and, as such, are typically only
used when polygonal shaped forms are desired.
While a variety of panel assemblies exist for creating various above ground
structures or portions thereof, they generally are ill-suited for creating
landscaping edging and subterranean forms for concrete projects. For
example, the panel members and assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,394,524, U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,519 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,783 are
comprised of interlocking panel members that are connected together to
form wall and/or roofing structures for buildings. Those panel members,
for the most part, are generally rectangular in shape and have various
joint configurations formed into their longitudinal edges to enable them
to be positively interlocked or snapped together. However, those types of
panel members, due to their non-planar shapes and joint configurations
would be ill-suited for creating landscaping edging or subterranean form
structures for pouring and forming concrete.
Thus, there is a need for landscaping edging material that is inexpensive,
reusable, easy to install and can be installed to create curvilinear and
polygonal shaped borders. There is a further need for materials for
fabricating form structures for pouring and forming concrete that are also
inexpensive, reusable and easy to install.
In addition, similar problems of creating a mold having a predetermined
shape for creating cakes and other food items are encountered by the food
preparation industry and individuals alike. For example, to produce a food
item having a predetermined shape from premixed ingredients such as, for
example, a cake mix, a mold having that fixed predetermined shape must be
used. Such molds, however, can only be used to create cakes and other food
items having that particular shape; they cannot be used to create a
variety of different shaped cakes or food items. As such, one must have a
mold for each shape desired. Moreover, such different shaped cake pans
typically cannot be "nested" for storage purposes and, therefore, a great
amount of storage space is need to store a variety of pans.
Moreover, prior cake baking pans are typically formed with sloping sides so
that the cake will essentially "fall" from the pan upon the inversion
thereof. The resulting cake, however, has sloping sides. Therefore, such
cake pans are ill-suited for baking cakes having vertical sides. Also,
prior cake baking pans are ill-suited for forming delicate cakes wherein
the pan must be carefully removed from the cake to avoid damaging the
exterior surface thereof. One type of cake baking pan, however, comprises
a continuous metal ring that can be selectively expanded for removal
thereof from the finish cake, by a releasable clasp. Such baking pans,
however, are limited to having a substantially circular shape.
Still other problems are associated with prior baking pans that are formed
in predetermined shapes. For example, such pans typically cannot be formed
with sharp intersecting edges due to the difficulty of removing the cake
therefrom.
As such, there is also a need for a foodstuff mold that is reusable and
capable of being selectively formed into a variety of predetermined
shapes. There is a further need for a foodstuff mold having the
above-mentioned attributes that can easily be removed from the molded
product with little or no damage to the product. There is a further need
for a foodstuff mold that is capable of forming foodstuffs into
predetermined shapes having relatively sharp corners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a panel
assembly adapted to form landscaping edging or barriers, forms for pouring
and forming concrete, and molds for preparing a food product from a
moldable mixture of ingredients in a predetermined shape. The panel
assembly may also be used to prevent soil erosion on sloping embankments.
The panel assembly consists of a plurality of substantially planar panel
members that are adapted to be slidably interconnected together along
their edges. Each panel member has a first offset and hook-shaped sleeve
formed into one of its longitudinal edges and a second offset and
hook-shaped sleeve formed into its other longitudinal edge. To connect the
panels together, the first sleeve of one panel member is received in
sliding engagement with the second sleeve of an adjacent panel member. In
addition, each panel member has a series of shallow, longitudinally
extending creases therein to provide the panel members with sufficient
strength and rigidity to enable them to be longitudinally inserted into
the soil with minimal bending or distortion thereof.
The panel members of the present invention are adapted to be longitudinally
inserted into the soil to create a desired barrier by pounding the top
edge thereof with an ordinary hammer. Thereafter, if desired, they may be
individually removed from the soil and reused by grasping the top edge of
a panel member and pulling upward until that member has slidably
disengaged the adjacent panel member or members.
Also, polygonal or other shaped barriers and forms may be created by
longitudinally bending the panel members along their creases to a desired
angular shape before they are interconnected and inserted into the soil.
The panel members may also be interconnected and inserted as a series of
terraces on a sloping embankment to prevent soil erosion therefrom.
The panel members of the present invention, when used in connection with a
flat baking pan, are also particularly well adapted for creating molds for
preparing moldable foodstuffs in predetermined shapes.
Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for
creating landscaping barriers and forms for pouring concrete that may be
installed in a variety of curvilinear and angular shapes. Also, the panel
members of the present invention are inexpensive, reusable and relatively
easy to install and remove. However, other details, objects and advantages
will become apparent as the following detailed description of the present
preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown a present preferred embodiment
of the invention wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate
like parts and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an end assembly view of the panel members of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a front assembly view of the panel members of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the joint assembly of the panel members
of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of two interconnected panel members
of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view illustrating the insertion of the
panel members of the present invention into the turf;
FIG. 6 is a top assembly view of a square form or planting area created
with the panel members of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top assembly view of an alternative form created with the panel
members of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the item created from the form illustrated
in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an alternate use of the panel members
of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the embankment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a elevational perspective view of an alternate use of the panel
members of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of another panel member of the present
invention;
FIG. 13 is a top view of the panel member of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a side view of a splicing clip of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a side view of another splicing clip of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a top view of a panel member assembly with the splicing clip
legs shown in cross-section;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an assembly of panels of the present
invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of assemblies of panels of the present
invention formed in the shape of a locomotive and window therefor for
creating a form for baking a cake having the shape of a locomotive with a
window opening therein;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assemblies of FIG. 18 received on a
flat baking pan and being traced therearound with a non-toxic marker to
form outlines of the assemblies of FIG. 18 on the baking pan;
FIG. 20 is a plan view illustrating the application of a sealant to the
baking pan along the outline of FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the assemblies of FIG. 18 received on a
baking pan and sealed thereto by the sealant illustrated in FIG. 20 with a
premixed cake mix being poured therein;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cake baked with the apparatus and
methods illustrated in FIGS. 18-21;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of assemblies of other panels of the present
invention formed in the shape of a locomotive and window therefor for
creating a form for baking a cake having the shape of a locomotive with a
window opening therein; and
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the assemblies of FIG. 23 received on a
flat baking pan and being traced therearound with a non-toxic marker to
form outlines of the assemblies of FIG. 23 on the baking pan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the present
preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of
limiting the same, the Figures show a panel assembly generally designated
as 10 that may be used to create barriers for landscaping borders and
forms for pouring and forming concrete.
More particularly and with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a panel
assembly 10 that consists of interconnected panel members 12 that are
preferably fabricated from 24 gauge aluminum or steel sheet material. It
will be appreciated, however, that panel members 12 may be fabricated from
other materials having varying thicknesses and rigidity that will enable
them to be used in the manners further described below. In addition, a
panel member 12 preferably has a rectangular shape (e.g., 10".times.4.5");
however, it will be further appreciated that the panel members may also be
provided in other sizes and shapes such as, for example, squares. The
skilled artisan will readily appreciate that the phrase "substantially
planar", as used herein to describe a preferred panel member that has a
height-to-width ratio of not more than approximately four percent. For
example, the panel member described above has an overall height of
approximately 0.15" and a width of approximately 4.5". Such panel member's
height/width ratio equals 0.15"/4.5" or approximately four percent. It
will be appreciated that by using the above-described height-to-width
ratio, a number of different sizes of substantially planar panel members
may be constructed. It will be further appreciated that the phrase
"substantially planar" as used herein, is not intended to be limiting, but
is used to describe the particular attributes of the panels of the present
invention that permit them to be readily inserted into a receiving medium
and to thereby create a substantially smooth and visually appealing
barrier.
Each panel member 12 has an elongated central portion 14 that is bounded on
each longitudinal side by sleeve members 20 and 22. In the preferred
embodiment, sleeve members 20 and 22 are preferably formed by bending the
longitudinal edges of the central portion 14 in the shape depicted in FIG.
1. As can further be seen in FIG. 1, sleeve 20 is preferably
perpendicularly offset slightly (e.g., 0.15") from side "A" of the panel
member 12 by providing element 20a and sleeve 22 is also preferably
perpendicularly offset slightly (e.g., 0.15") from side "B" of the panel
member 12 by providing element 20b. It will be appreciated, however, that
the perpendicular bends in panel members 12 forming the sleeve members 20
and 22, respectively, are preferably formed as radiused bends. Each of the
sleeves 20 and 22 have an opening 24 therein that longitudinally extends
the length of the panel member 12 and has a width "C" (e.g., 0.078") that
is larger than the thickness "D" (e.g., 0.024") of the panel member 12
(See FIGS. 1 and 4). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art, that the sleeves 20 and 22 may be created separate from the
central portion 14 and then fastened thereto by, for example, welding or
riveting.
In addition, to provide the panel members 12 with additional strength and
rigidity, the central portion 14 of each panel member 12 has a plurality
of shallow (depth of e.g., 0.15") longitudinally extending creases 30
therein (See FIGS. 1 and 2). While I prefer to include at least six
longitudinally extending creases 30 in the central portion 14 of each
panel member 12, it will be understood that any number of creases 30 may
formed into each central portion 14 to provide each panel member 12 with
additional rigidity and strength.
The panel members 12 are interchangeable and are adapted to be slidably
interconnected as shown in FIGS. 1-4. More specifically, the sleeve 20 of
one panel member 12 is received in sliding engagement with the sleeve 22
of an adjacent panel member 12. When fastened together in that manner, the
panel members 12 may not be latitudinally separated. However, the panel
members 12 may be slidably longitudinally separated. As can be seen in
FIG. 1, the panel member assembly, generally designated as 10 is
substantially planar and, as such, is well suited for longitudinal
insertion into the soil.
The panel members 12 of the present invention have a variety of uses. In
particular, the panel members 12 may be connected together to form
landscaping edging that has a variety of curvilinear and angular turns
therein or it may be used to create forms for pouring and forming
concrete. In addition, the panel members may also be used to create
concrete letters and symbols for above-ground signs. Also, when properly
used, the panel members 12 can be used to prevent soil erosion.
To use the panel members 12 as landscaping edging, a first panel member 12
is inserted into the soil as shown in FIG. 5. To begin the insertion
process, a small board is placed over the top edge of the panel member 12
and the board is then struck with a hammer thereby causing the panel
member 12 to enter the soil. It will be appreciated that the board serves
to prevent the hammer from damaging the top edge of the panel member 12
during the insertion process. It will be further appreciated that other
materials may also be used to prevent the panel members 12 from being
damaged while being hammered into the soil. After the first panel 12 has
been inserted into the soil a desired distance, a second identical panel
member 12 is slidably attached to the first panel member 12 in the manner
described above. Thereafter, the second panel member 12 is also hammered
into the soil. This process is then repeated until landscaping edging
having the desired length and shape is achieved. It will be further
appreciated that the height of the landscaping edging may be varied by
varying the distance that the panel members 12 are inserted into the soil.
Each panel member 12 may be individually removed simply by grasping the
portion of the panel member 12 that extends above the ground level with,
for example, a pair of pliers and pulling upward until the panel member 12
slidably disengages the adjacent panel member or members 12. When removed
in this manner, the panel members 12 may be reused in other landscaping
jobs.
As mentioned above, the panel members 12 of the present invention may be
used to create a variety of differently shaped landscaping borders. For
example, the panel members 12 may be installed in the above-described
manner to create an oval or circular planting area or other curvilinear
landscaping borders. In addition, the panel members 12 of the present
invention may also be used to create a variety of angular shapes such as,
for example, squares, rectangles, triangles and stars. When shapes having
gentle curves are desired, the play between sleeves 20 and 22 may be
sufficient to provide the shape without necessitating bending of panel
members 12.
To create a landscaping border or planting area that has angular corners or
shapes therein, the panel members 12 are longitudinally bent along their
creases 30 to the desired angular shape before being inserted into the
soil in the above-described manner. FIG. 6, illustrates a square-shaped
planting area generally designated as 40 that is formed out of the panel
members 12 of the present invention. To form the square area 40, the four
panel members 12 that form the corners of the square area 40 are
longitudinally bent along one of their creases 30. It will be appreciated
that by bending the panel members 12 along one or more of their creases 30
a variety of angular shapes may be created.
The panel members 12 may also be used to create forms for pouring and
forming concrete. To create a form for pouring a concrete patio or
sidewalk, the panel members 12 may be installed in the above-described
manner to create a closed perimeter or barrier having the desired shape of
the patio or walkway. If the concrete form is to extend below the ground
level, the installer may remove the earth contained within the form to the
desired depth making sure that the panel members 12 remain sufficiently
embedded into the soil to retain the form in position. If, on the other
hand, the installer desires to pour the concrete on top of the ground
level, no excavation is needed. It will be appreciated that when fastened
together as described above, the panel members 12 form a shape that will
retain concrete mixes therein. In addition, I have found that by spraying
the sides of the panel members 12 that will contact the concrete with
commercially available silicon spray prior to pouring the concrete
therein, the panel members 12 may be easily disassembled with little or no
concrete residue remaining thereon. After the concrete has solidified or
cured, the panel members 12 may be disassembled in the same manner as was
described hereinabove.
The panel members 12 are also well adapted to create three dimensional
concrete letters for signs and the like. By means of example, as shown in
FIG. 7, a letter "H" may be formed from concrete by first creating a form
26 in the shape of a letter "H" letter with panel members 12. It will be
appreciated that the panel members 12 may be bent along their longitudinal
creases 30 to form the desired angles or corner portions of the letter.
Thereafter, the panel members 12 are then inserted into the soil in the
manner described above to create the form 26. A portion of each panel
member 12 is permitted to extend above the ground for a distance that is
equivalent to the desired thickness of the concrete letter. In addition,
tab areas 36 are preferably provided in the bottom of the form 28 for
creating tab members 38 on the bottom of the concrete letter "H" for
installation purposes.
The concrete is then poured into the form 28 and is thereafter permitted to
cure. After the concrete has cured, the panel members 12 are removed in
the manner described above. The resulting concrete letter "H" may then be
installed as shown in FIG. 8 by raising the formed concrete shape and
embedding the tab members 38 into the soil or a concrete pad (not shown).
It will be appreciated that a variety of three dimensional letters, logos,
and designs may be created in this manner.
The panel members 12 of the present invention may also be used to prevent
soil erosion commonly encountered on sloping embankments that have little
or no vegetation growing thereon. For example, the panel members 12 may be
slidably interconnected together and longitudinally inserted at an angle
into the side of a sloping embankment 50 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
When installed in that manner, the panel members 12 form an elongated
barrier generally designated as 48 which serves to prevent water from
eroding the side of the embankment 50. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a
number of panel assemblies 48 are preferably installed into the sloping
embankment 50 in the above described manner. Thereafter, when a sufficient
amount of vegetation has grown onto the side of the embankment to prevent
further erosion, the panel members 12 may optionally be removed and
reused.
I have also found the panel members 12 of the present invention to be
particularly well suited for creating open ended receptacles and extended
wall sections. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, an initial row of panel
members 12, generally designated as 72, are slidably interconnected and
inserted into the soil in such a manner so as to create the desired shape
of an open ended receptacle 70. In this embodiment, every other panel
member of row 72, depicted by the numeral 78, is inserted into the soil a
distance that is preferably one-third greater than the distance that the
adjacent panel members, depicted as 80, are inserted. It will be
appreciated that such adjacent panel members 80 may, alternatively, not
even be embedded in the soil. Thereafter, a second row 74 and even a third
row 76 of panel members may be slidably interconnected together as shown
in FIG. 11. It will be appreciated that any number of additional rows of
panel members may be added to extend the height of the receptacle as so
desired. It will be further appreciated that the receptacle 70 has a
variety of uses such as, for example, functioning as an above-ground
planter or compost storage bin. When used as a compost storage bin, I have
found that as the compost pile is depleted, the upper rows of panel
members 12 may be removed thus providing easy access to the compost
remaining therein. Also, the panel members 12 may be interconnected
together to form a barrier wall around, for example, plants and trees.
When used in that manner, the panel members 12 serve to protect the plants
and trees from the wind and small animals.
An additional advantage of the present invention is that once panel members
12 are joined together they can be formed into neat and smooth curves with
no hinging action at the connection joint. Indeed, curves of either
direction may be formed without the joint snapping apart as would occur if
a hinge action occurred at the linkage point. However, the joint of the
present invention would nonetheless allow for sliding interconnection of
panel members 12.
The panel members of the present invention are also particularly well
adapted for creating forms for baking a variety of different shaped cakes
or for preparing other food products for which a molding form may be used.
In one embodiment, the panel members 12' are preferably formed as show in
FIGS. 12 and 13. Preferably each panel 12' is rectangular shaped (i.e.,
4.5".times.2") and is formed from a non-corrosive sheet material such as,
for example, 24 gauge sheet aluminum. The skilled artisan will appreciate,
however, that the panel members 12' may also be fabricated in a myriad of
different shapes and sizes from a variety of other non-corrosive,
non-toxic materials that can withstand typical baking temperatures. As can
also be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, each panel member 12' has an elongated
central portion 14' that is bounded on each end by longitudinal hooks 20'.
In a preferred embodiment, hooks 20' are preferably formed by bending the
edges of the central portion 14' in a radius as most particularly
illustrated in FIG. 13. Preferably, each hook member 20' is bent in such a
manner so as to provide a opening "E" of approximately 0.125" that extends
between the end of each hook member 20' and the central portion 14'. In
the alternative, the hook member 20' may be formed such that the end
thereof contacts the central portion to define an opening having a
preferred diameter of 0.125". However, as will become evident to the
skilled artisan as the detailed description proceeds, opening "E" may be
varied to accommodate different fastening members for interconnecting the
panels 12' together.
Also in a preferred embodiment, I prefer to provide shallow (i.e., 1/16"
deep) creases 30' in the central elongated portion 14' of each panel
member 12'. Preferably, the creases 30' are interspaced at 0.25" intervals
in the manner shown in FIG. 12. However, the creases 30' may be omitted or
provided in a variety of other spaced arrangements. I have found that the
creases 30' assist in bending the panel member 12' in a desired shape and,
if provided in the manner shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, serve to prevent the
panel from bending at a skewed angle.
To removably interconnect the panel members 12' in an end-to-end
relationship, a splicing clip 100 is preferably used. I prefer to
fabricate the splicing clips 100 from 0.125" diameter plated steel wire
fashioned in the shape illustrated in FIG. 14. More specifically, the
splicing clips 100 may be fabricated from a stainless steel or similar
non-corrosive, nontoxic metal wire that is capable of withstanding typical
baking temperatures. I have also found that splicing clips 100 can be
fabricated from carbon steel wire that is plated with a non-corrosive
material such as, for example, chrome that can also withstand typical
baking temperatures.
As can be seen in FIG. 14, each splicing clip 100 has a rounded handle
portion 102 and two substantially parallel connection legs 104. In a
preferred embodiment, the distance "F" between the legs 104 is equal to
approximately twice the thickness of the material comprising the panel
members 12'. However, depending upon the flexibility of the material
comprising the splicing clip 100, legs 102 can be arranged such that they
abut each other. In addition, to aid in the insertion of the splicing clip
100 into the hook members 20' the outer ends 106 of the legs 104 are
preferably slightly angled outward as shown in FIG. 14. The reader will
readily appreciate that the splicing clip 100 serves to provide a hingable
joint upon which the panel members 12' may be pivoted to form relatively
sharp angles.
Another spicing clip 100' is illustrated in FIG. 15. Splicing clip 100' is
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