Landscape timber connector

Abstract

A landscape timber connector includes first and second halves adapted for arrangement in an open timber-receiving position and a closed timber-surrounding position. In the closed position, the first and second halves cooperate to form a housing having a top, bottom, sides, and first and second ends. Mating elements cooperate to lock the halves in the closed position.

1 . A landscape timber connector, comprising: 
 first and second halves adapted for arrangement in an open timber-receiving position and a closed timber-surrounding position; and in the closed position, said first and second halves cooperating to form a housing having a top, bottom, sides, and first and second ends; and    means for locking said housing in the closed position.    
   
   
       2 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 1 , and comprising a hinge interconnecting said first and second halves, such that said housing is adapted to clamshell around a portion of a landscape timber.  
   
   
       3 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the first half of said housing comprises an intermediate recess, said recess defining a female restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary male restraint of an adjacent timber connector.  
   
   
       4 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 3 , wherein the first half of said housing comprises spaced-apart interior walls located adjacent said intermediate recess, and adapted for dividing said housing into sections designed to receive respective ends of adjacent timbers.  
   
   
       5 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the second half of said housing comprises an intermediate detent, said detent defining a male restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary female restraint of an adjacent timber connector.  
   
   
       6 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 5 , wherein the second half of said housing comprises spaced-apart interior walls located adjacent said intermediate detent, and adapted for dividing said housing into sections designed to receive respective ends of adjacent timbers.  
   
   
       7 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing defines a timber-connection angle between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       8 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 7 , wherein said timber-connection angle is 120 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 7 , wherein said timber-connection angle is 90 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of said housing are located in substantial linear alignment.  
   
   
       11 . A landscape timber connector, comprising: 
 first and second halves adapted for arrangement in an open timber-receiving position and a closed timber-surrounding position; and in the closed position, said first and second halves cooperating to form a housing having a top, bottom, sides, and first and second ends;    wherein the first half of said housing comprises an intermediate recess, said recess defining a female restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary male restraint of an adjacent timber connector;    wherein the second half of said housing comprises an intermediate detent, said detent defining a male restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary female restraint of an adjacent timber connector; and means for locking said housing in the closed position.    
   
   
       12 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 11 , and comprising a hinge interconnecting said first and second halves, such that said housing is adapted to clamshell around a portion of a landscape timber.  
   
   
       13 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the first half of said housing comprises spaced-apart interior walls located adjacent said intermediate recess, and adapted for dividing said housing into sections designed to receive respective ends of adjacent timbers.  
   
   
       14 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the second half of said housing comprises spaced-apart interior walls located adjacent said intermediate detent, and adapted for dividing said housing into sections designed to receive respective ends of adjacent timbers.  
   
   
       15 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 11 , wherein said housing defines a timber-connection angle between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       16 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 15 , wherein said timber-connection angle is 120 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 15 , wherein said timber-connection angle is 90 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . A landscape timber connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second ends of said housing are located in substantial linear alignment.  
   
   
       19 . In combination with an elongated landscape timber, a landscape timber connector comprising: 
 first and second halves adapted for arrangement in an open timber-receiving position and a closed timber-surrounding position; and in the closed position, said first and second halves cooperating to form a housing having a top, bottom, sides, and first and second ends; and    means for locking said housing in the closed position.    
   
   
       20 . A combination according to  claim 19 , wherein the first half of said housing comprises an intermediate recess, said recess defining a female restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary male restraint of an adjacent timber connector; and wherein the second half of said housing comprises an intermediate detent, said detent defining a male restraint of said housing adapted for mating with a complementary female restraint of an adjacent timber connector.