Landscaping device

Abstract

The present invention includes a landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on the ground, the apparatus containing a member including an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat. One or more projections extend from the member and are used to fix the member to the ground by inserting the projections into the ground. In one embodiment, the projections are integrally formed with the member and the member is made from a substantially flexible material.

1 . A landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on ground, comprising:
 a member comprising an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat; and   a plurality of projections extending from the member, wherein the projections are integrally formed with the member.   
     
     
         2 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sides are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections has at least a portion of the projections substantially within the plane and extending from the sides in a direction away from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member is made from a substantially flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of polymers and metals. 
     
     
         6 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections has at least a portion of the projections substantially outside the plane. 
     
     
         7 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 6 , further wherein the at least the portion of the projections are substantially perpendicular to the plane and extend from the member in the same direction. 
     
     
         8 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 7 , further wherein the at least the portion of the projections extend from the sides. 
     
     
         9 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the member is made from a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of polymers and metals. 
     
     
         11 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member further comprises at least one removable portion scored on the member, wherein the at least one removable portion may be selectively removed by a user of the landscaping apparatus so that the member substantially abuts an obstacle in an intended path for the member along the ground. 
     
     
         12 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the projections are substantially shaped as barbs. 
     
     
         13 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the projections are substantially shaped as sawteeth. 
     
     
         14 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member is made from a material comprising a recycled plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member further comprises at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture facilitates the use of at least one anchor to substantially secure the landscaping apparatus to the ground. 
     
     
         16 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one anchor to substantially secure the landscaping apparatus to the ground. 
     
     
         17 . A landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on ground, comprising:
 a first member comprising an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially within a plane containing the first member when the first member is substantially flat, and a channel connected to the first member, wherein the channel is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   a second member comprising an elongated rod having a plurality of projections, wherein the second member may be inserted into the channel;   wherein the plurality of projections has at least a portion of the projections substantially outside the plane when the second member is inserted into the channel.   
     
     
         18 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least the portion of the projections are substantially perpendicular to the plane when the second member is inserted into the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the channel further comprises at least one feature for substantially retaining the second member within the channel when the second member is inserted therein. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on the ground, comprising:
 providing a member comprising an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat;   providing one or more projections extending from the member; and   substantially securing the member to the ground by pushing the one or more projections into the ground   wherein the landscaping apparatus covers a portion of ground and inhibits plant growth on the portion of ground.   
     
     
         21 . A landscaping apparatus for inhibiting plant growth on ground, comprising:
 a member comprising an elongated strip having a longitudinal axis and sides spaced apart from the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis and the sides are substantially within a plane containing the member when the member is substantially flat; and   a plurality of projections extending from the member, thereby securing the member against the ground.   
     
     
         22 . The landscaping apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said apparatus further comprises:
 one or more orifices formed in said member;   one or more shanks, wherein each shank is received within a corresponding respective orifice of said one or more orifices, for securing said member to the ground.