Decorative borders

Abstract

A decorative border structure ( 100 ) is disclosed. The decorative border structure ( 100 ) includes a plurality of border picket assemblies ( 102 ), each consisting of a picket portion ( 108 ) and a stake ( 118 ). Snap assemblages ( 126 ) are located on opposing sides of the picket portion ( 108 ) of each of the border picket assemblies ( 102 ). The snap assemblages ( 126 ) are adapted to releasably and pivotably interconnect with trim spacers ( 104 ) which, in turn, pivotably and releasably interconnect with adjacent ones of the border picket assemblies ( 102 ). The relative structures of the trim spacers ( 104 ) and the snap assemblages ( 126 ) facilitate assembly of the decorative border structure ( 100 ) with curvature, and also permit use of the decorative border structure ( 100 ) on uneven terrain or with terrain of substantial inclinations and declinations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decorative border structure comprising: 
 a plurality of border picket assemblies;    interconnecting means for releasably interconnecting adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies; and    said interconnecting means provides for pivotable movement of at least one of said border picket assemblies relative to at least another of said border picket assemblies.    
     
     
         2 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said interconnecting means comprises at least one trim spacer, where said one trim spacer is pivotably and releasably interconnected to said at least one of said border picket assemblies.  
     
     
         3 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said at least one trim spacer comprises: 
 a central web; and    a pair of snap sockets extending outwardly from opposing ends of said central web.    
     
     
         4 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that each of said snap sockets comprises: 
 a pair of opposing fingers attached to said central web, each of said fingers having an arcuate configuration; and    a socket opening formed between terminal ends of said pair of opposing fingers.    
     
     
         5 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said interconnecting means comprises at least one snap assemblage connected to said at least one of said border picket assemblies.  
     
     
         6 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that said at least one snap assemblage comprises: 
 extending means for extending said at least one snap assemblage laterally from said at least one of said border picket assemblies; and    means extending outward from said extending means for releasably and pivotably interconnecting said at least one of said border picket assemblies to another of said border picket assemblies.    
     
     
         7 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that said means extending outward from said extending means comprises a vertically orientated snap post.  
     
     
         8 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 7 , characterized in that said at least one snap assemblage further comprises snap retainers located at opposing ends of said snap post.  
     
     
         9 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said interconnecting means comprises means for permitting interconnection of said adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies when said picket assembles are to be used with a relatively uneven terrain, said means providing for modification of alignment of said adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies.  
     
     
         10 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said interconnecting means is of a structure such that said plurality of border picket assemblies can be manually assembled and disassembled without the need of tools.  
     
     
         11 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said decorative border structure is bi-directionally symmetrical.  
     
     
         12 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said interconnecting means comprises means for permitting use of said decorative border structure with terrain of substantial inclinations and declinations.  
     
     
         13 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that all elements of said decorative border structure are composed of materials which facilitate cleaning of said decorative border structure.  
     
     
         14 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that all elements of said decorative border structure are composed of materials which are receptive to painting or staining.  
     
     
         15 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that all elements of said decorative border structure are composed of materials which are UV stable.  
     
     
         16 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that all elements of said decorative border structure are composed of materials which are recyclable.  
     
     
         17 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said plurality of border picket assemblies are composed of polypropylene.  
     
     
         18 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that each of said border picket assemblies comprises: 
 a picket portion having a lower body of a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and a tapered upper portion; and    a stake integrally connected to a lower part of said picket portion.    
     
     
         19 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 18 , characterized in that said stake comprises: 
 a central web;    pairs of reinforcing ribs integral with said central web; and    said stake having a downward taper terminating at a lower point.    
     
     
         20 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said interconnecting means comprises at least one trim spacer, where said one trim spacer is pivotably and releasably interconnected to said at least one of said border picket assemblies;    at least one snap assemblage connected to said at least one of said border picket assemblies; and    said at least one trim spacer is adapted to be pivotably and releasably interconnected to a pair of said snap assemblages, where said snap assemblages are connected to adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies.    
     
     
         21 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 20 , characterized in that said trim spacer comprises: 
 a central web; and    a pair of snap sockets extending outwardly from opposing ends of said central web, each of said snap sockets comprising a pair of opposing fingers attached to said central web and a socket opening formed between terminal ends of said pair of opposing fingers.    
     
     
         22 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 21 , characterized in that said at least one snap assemblage comprises: 
 a standard connected to and associated with one of said border picket assemblies for extending said at least one snap assemblage laterally from said at least one of said border picket assemblies;    a vertically oriented snap post extending outwardly from said standard; and    snap retainers located at opposing ends of said snap post.    
     
     
         23 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 22 , characterized in that pivotable and releasable interconnection of adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies is provided by the snap fitting of said pairs of snap fingers to snap posts associated with adjacent ones of said border picket assemblies.  
     
     
         24 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said snap posts are of longer elongated length relative to elongated lengths of said snap sockets, so as to allow room for modifying vertical alignment of adjacently interconnected border picket assemblies, thereby permitting alignment of adjacent border picket assemblies on uneven terrain.  
     
     
         25 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said central web of each of said trim spacers is of an angled configuration, so that interconnected snap sockets on opposing ends of said angled central web are located in different horizontal planes, thereby permitting interconnection of adjacent border picket assembles in a manner so as to permit use with terrain of relatively substantial inclinations or declinations.  
     
     
         26 . A decorative border structure in accordance with  claim 22 , characterized in that each of said snap retainers is of a diameter which is relatively larger than diameters of cross-sectional configurations of corresponding snap posts and snap sockets pivotably and releasably coupled to said snap posts, so as to prevent inadvertent vertical disconnection between trim spacers and interconnected snap assemblages.