Landscaping block and system for use

Abstract

An “L”-shaped landscaping block provides a ledge for supporting concrete slabs used to create landscaping structures such as walkways, stairs and the like. A ridge or openings with protruding members on the bottom of the block engage a lower slab when used as a riser to create steps and prevents shifting of the riser and slabs relative to one another. Stands are provided which are pinned into the ground and support the landscape blocks from beneath to prevent shifting, heaving or sinking with the ground. Angled or curved landscaping blocks are used to created angled or curved corners. Profiled landscaping blocks and slabs are used to create lowered curbs at driveway accesses.

1 . A landscaping block comprising: 
 an elongate body being substantially rectangular in cross-section having an upstanding portion extending along an outer and upper edge of the body for forming an inset ledge along an inner and upper edge of the body for supporting at least a portion of a first substantially flat member thereon; and    restraining means for engaging between a bottom edge of the body and an adjacent lower structure for restraining movement of the body relative to the lower structure, when engaged.    
   
   
       2 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardly depending ridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscaping block for engaging an edge of lower structure.  
   
   
       3 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the restraining means further comprises at least one opening formed in the bottom of the body for accepting a protruding member therein for engaging an edge of the lower structure.  
   
   
       4 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 3  wherein the restraining means further comprises an opening in an upper face of the lower structure for receiving the protruding member therein and engaging the lower structure thereto.  
   
   
       5 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the first substantially flat member is a sidewalk slab.  
   
   
       6 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the lower structure is a second substantially flat member.  
   
   
       7 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the landscaping block is curved.  
   
   
       8 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the landscaping block is formed having an angle.  
   
   
       9 . The landscaping block as described in  claim 1  wherein the inset ledge is profiled from a first end to a second end for supporting a profiled member thereon.  
   
   
       10 . A method of forming a landscaping step comprising the steps of: 
 providing a least a first and a second substantially flat member for forming at least first and second treads; and    positioning a landscaping block between the at least first and second steps for forming a riser, the landscaping block comprising an elongate body being substantially rectangular in cross-section, having an upstanding portion formed along an outer and upper edge of the body forming an inner inset ledge and restraining means on a bottom inner edge of the body for engaging between the landscape block and the second tread, the first tread supported on the inner inset ledge for forming an upper tread and the second tread engaging the restraining means for forming a lower tread.    
   
   
       11 . The method as described in  claim 10  wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardly depending ridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscaping block for engaging an edge of the lower tread.  
   
   
       12 . The method as described in  claim 10  wherein the restraining means further comprises at least one opening formed in the bottom of the body for accepting a protruding member therein for engaging an edge of the lower tread.  
   
   
       13 . The method as described in  claim 10  wherein the restraining means further comprises an opening in an upper face of the lower tread for receiving the protruding member therein.  
   
   
       14 . The method as described in  claim 10  wherein the at least first and second substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.  
   
   
       15 . The method as described in  claim 10  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of stands for supporting at least a portion of the landscaping blocks thereon from beneath, the stands having a surface upon which the landscaping blocks are supported; a positioning means connected at about a center of an underside of the surface; and a pin;    driving the pin into the ground;    engaging the positioning means with the pin; and    supporting a landscaping block on the stand's surface after which the substantially flat members are supported on the inset ledge of the landscaping blocks.    
   
   
       16 . The method as described in  claim 15  wherein the positioning means is a tubular member forming a socket.  
   
   
       17 . The method as described in  claim 10  further comprising the step of arranging landscaping blocks having opposing inset ledges for supporting opposing sides adjacent the riser of each of at least the first and second treads.  
   
   
       18 . The method as described in  claim 17  further comprising the step of notching the inset ledge of the riser to permit insertion of the riser between the opposing inset ledges of the landscaping blocks.  
   
   
       19 . A system for forming a landscaping structure comprising: 
 a plurality of landscaping blocks, each block comprising an elongate body being substantially rectangular in cross-section, having an upstanding portion formed along an outer and upper edge of the body for forming an inner inset ledge;    a plurality of substantially flat members wherein landscaping blocks are positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of flat members aligned to form the landscaping structure, the landscaping blocks acting to support the substantially flat members on the inner inset ledges therebetween; and    a plurality of spaced stands for supporting at least a portion of the landscaping blocks from beneath, the stands comprising a surface for supporting the landscaping blocks; a positioning member connected at a center of an underside of the stand's surface; and a pin for engaging the positioning member wherein when the pin is driven into the ground, the stand is supported for supporting at least a portion of the landscaping blocks thereon.    
   
   
       20 . The system as described in  claim 19  wherein the plurality of substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.  
   
   
       21 . The system as described in  claim 19  wherein the positioning means is a tubular member for forming a socket.  
   
   
       22 . The system as described in  claim 19  wherein at least two or more of the plurality of landscape blocks is curved and at least one or more of the substantially flat members has corresponding curved edges for forming a curved landscaping structure.  
   
   
       23 . The system as described in  claim 19  wherein at least two or more of the plurality of landscape blocks is formed having an angle and at least one or more of the substantially flat members has corresponding angled edges for forming an angled landscaping structure.  
   
   
       24 . The system as described in  claim 19  further comprising a profiled slab and wherein the inner inset ledge of opposing landscape blocks is profiled from a first end to a second end for supporting the profiled slab thereon for forming a lowered curb structure.  
   
   
       25 . The system as described in  claim 19  wherein a landscape block is positioned at an end of the landscaping structure at right angles to adjacent opposing landscape blocks, the inner inset ledge being notched to permit insertion of the end landscape block between the inner inset ledges of the opposing landscape blocks.  
   
   
       26 . A system for forming a landscaping structure comprising a plurality of landscaping blocks according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially flat members for forming the landscaping structure, wherein landscaping blocks are positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of substantially flat members aligned to form the landscaping structure, the landscaping blocks acting to support the substantially flat members on the inner inset ledges therebetween; and    a plurality of stands for supporting at least a portion of the landscaping blocks from beneath, the stands comprising a surface for supporting the landscaping blocks; a positioning member connected at a center of an underside of the surface; and a pin for engaging the positioning member wherein when the pin is driven into the ground, the stand is supported for supporting at least a portion of the landscaping blocks thereon.    
   
   
       27 . The system as described in  claim 26  wherein the plurality of substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.  
   
   
       28 . The system as described in  claim 26  wherein the positioning means is a tubular member for forming a socket.  
   
   
       29 . The system as described in  claim 27  wherein a step is to be incorporated into the landscaping structure further comprising: 
 a landscaping block positioned between at least a first lower substantially flat member and a second upper substantially flat member for forming a riser, the lower substantially flat member engaging the restraining means for preventing movement therebetween and the upper flat member supported on the inner inset ledge for forming the step.    
   
   
       30 . The system as described in  claim 27  wherein the restraining means further comprises a downwardly depending ridge formed along the bottom inner edge of the landscaping block for engaging an edge of the lower substantially flat member.  
   
   
       31 . The system as described in  claim 27  wherein the restraining means further comprises at least one opening formed in the bottom of the body for accepting a protruding member therein for engaging an edge of the lower substantially flat member.  
   
   
       32 . The system as described in  claim 31  wherein the restraining means further comprises an opening in an upper face of the lower substantially flat member for receiving the protruding member therein.  
   
   
       33 . The system as described in  claim 27  wherein the lower and upper substantially flat members are sidewalk slabs.