GROUND-COVERING APPARATUS

Abstract

Ground-covering apparatus, e.g., for covering a ground surface around fixtures and fences and/or for protecting a lower portions of fixtures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/151,777 filed 11 Feb. 2009, entitled “POST GUARDS AND FENCE GUARDS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to ground-covering apparatus such as post guards and fence guards, e.g., for protecting fence posts and for preventing vegetation growth.

In one embodiment of a post guard for use in protecting posts of varying sizes, the post guard includes four post guard portions. Each post guard portion is configured to cover at least a portion of a corner of a post. Further, the four post guard portions are configured to be positioned together to define an opening for a post to extend therethrough. Still further, each post guard portion of the four post guard portions includes a vertical member and a flanged member. The vertical member extends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a first section and a second section. The first and second sections include a post contacting surface extending from a first side edge of the first section to a second side edge of the second section defining a portion of the opening. Further, the first section is perpendicular to the second section thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of the post. The flanged member includes a ground contacting surface, a distal edge, a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first section of the vertical member, and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the second section of the vertical member (e.g., the flanged member may extend from the lower edge of the vertical member to the distal edge between the first edge and the second edge). Each post guard portion includes a first vertical interface region of the first section proximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interface region of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof. Further, each post guard portion includes a first flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the second edge thereof. Still further, the first interface regions of each post guard portion of the four post guard portions interfaces with the second interface regions of a different post guard portion of the four post guard portions when the four post guard portions are positioned together. The four post guard portions are positionable together in a configuration between a closed configuration and an expanded configuration. The four post guard portions are positioned together such that the first interface regions are completely interfaced with the second interface regions when in the first closed configuration and the four post guard portions are positioned together such that the first interface regions are located further away from the second interface regions when in the second expanded configuration than when in the first closed configuration. Further, the first interface regions at least partially contact the second interface regions when in the expanded configuration.

In one embodiment of a fence guard, the fence guard includes a fence guard body and an interface region. The fence guard body extends from a first end to a second end and defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The interface region is located at the first end of the fence guard body for interfacing with another interface region of another fence guard.

In one embodiment of a U-channel post guard, the post guard is for use in covering a ground surface around a U-channel post (e.g., a U-channel post including a channel side and a non-channel side opposite the channel side, and further defining a channel along a length of the channel side of the U-channel post). The U-channel post guard includes a first portion configured to contact the channel side of the U-channel post and a second portion configured to contact the non-channel side of the U-channel post. Further, the first and second portions are configured to be positioned together to define an opening for the U-channel post to extend therethrough. Each of the first and the second portions includes a vertical member and a flanged member. The vertical member extends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a post contacting surface extending from a first side edge to a second side edge defining a portion of the opening. The flanged member may include a ground contacting surface, a distal edge (e.g., the flanged member may extend from the lower edge of the vertical member to the distal edge), a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the vertical member, and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the vertical member. Further, each of the first and second portions includes a first flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the second edge thereof. The first interface region of the first portion interfaces with the second interface region of the second portion and the second interface region of the first portion interfaces with the first interface region of the second portion when the first and second portions are positioned together. Further, the first and the second portions are positionable together such that the vertical member of the first portion is located within the channel of the U-channel post.

In one embodiment of a ground-covering apparatus portion, the ground-covering apparatus portion is for use with one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions in covering a ground surface around fixtures of varying sizes. The ground-covering apparatus portion includes a vertical member and a flanged member. The vertical member extends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a first section and a second section. The first and second sections include a fixture-contacting surface extending from a first side edge of the first section to a second side edge of the second section and the first section is perpendicular to the second section thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of a fixture. The vertical member further includes a first vertical interface region of the first section proximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interface region of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof The flanged member includes a ground contacting surface, a distal edge, a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first section, and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the second section. The flanged member further includes a first flange interface region proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region proximate the second edge thereof The first interface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion are interfaceable (e.g., capable of being interfaced) with the second interface regions of one of the one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions and the second interface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion are interfaceable with the first interface regions of one of the one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions. In at least one embodiment, the vertical member is perpendicular to the flanged member. Further, in at least one embodiment, the vertical member is perpendicular to the flanged member, the first section of the vertical member defines a length from the first side edge to the second section of the vertical member, the second section of the vertical member defines a length from the second side edge to the first section of the vertical member, and the length of the first section is longer than the length of the second section.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary post guard portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary post guard fanned with multiple post guard portions (e.g., the post guard portion of FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the post guard of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is partial plan view of the post guard of FIG. 2 in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 2 in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another exemplary post guard formed with multiple post guard portions.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guard formed with multiple post guard portions.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary post guard portion (e.g., for use in forming the post guard of FIG. 10).

FIG. 14 is a top view of the post guard portion of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15-16 are side views of the post guard portion of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary first portion of a U-channel post guard.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary second portion of a U-channel post guard.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the first and second portions of FIGS. 17-18, respectively, to be positioned around a U-channel post to form an exemplary U-channel post guard.

FIG. 20 is a side view of an exemplary ground-covering apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the ground-covering apparatus in a different configuration than shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an exemplary ground-covering apparatus portion (e.g., for use in forming the ground-covering apparatus of FIG. 20) located adjacent a gravestone.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an exemplary fence guard.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the fence guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the fence guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 27 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosure presented hereby.

Exemplary apparatus shall be described with reference to FIGS. 1-29. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements from one embodiment may be used in combination with elements of the other embodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such apparatus using combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the Figures and/or described herein. Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments described herein may include many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will be recognized that the size and shape of various elements herein may be modified but still fall within the scope of the present disclosure, although one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements, may be advantageous over others.

The post guard described herein may be used to protect posts of varying sizes. The post guard 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-5 includes four post guard portions 10. In one or more other embodiments, the post guard 100 may include more or less than four post guard portions 10, e.g., a single post guard portion or eight post guard portions. For example, the post guard 60 depicted in FIG. 6 includes a single integral portion. Further, for example, the post guard may include two portions sectioned diagonally (FIGS. 26-27) or sectioned forming two U-shaped portions (e.g., of equal size or not of equal size) (FIGS. 28-29).

In one or more embodiments, the post guard may be configured to protect a post having no corners, e.g., a circular post, a post having more than four surfaces, e.g., an octagonal post, or a U-channel post (e.g., a post having a U-shaped cross-section and defining a channel along a length thereof). Further, in one or more embodiments, the post guard may be configured to protect a post having uneven corners (e.g., a split-rail fence) using, e.g., foam material between the post guard and the post. The post guard may be formed of many materials including, e.g., polymers, vinyl, metals, etc.

Each post guard portion 10 may be configured to cover at least a portion of a corner of a post 16 and the four post guard portions may be configured to be positioned together to define an opening 12 for a post 16 to extend therethrough. A post guard portion 10 is shown in FIG. 1 including a flanged member 20 and a vertical member 30. The flanged member 20 may be coupled to the vertical member 30 or may be integral, e.g., a single solid piece.

The vertical member 30 extends from a lower edge 32 to an upper edge 34 and includes a first section 36 and a second section 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second sections 36, 38 include a post-contacting surface 35 extending from a first side edge 37 of the first section 36 to a second side edge 39 of the second section 38 defining a portion of the opening 12. In one or more embodiments, the first section 36 of the vertical member 30 is perpendicular to the second section 38 thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of the post 16. The vertical member 30 may have a length from the lower edge 32 to the upper edge 34 that is about 1 inch to about 10 inches (e.g., 3 inches).

The flanged member 20 includes a ground contacting surface 24 (FIG. 5), a distal edge 22, a first edge 26 corresponding to the first side edge 37 of the first section 36 of the vertical member 30, and a second edge 28 corresponding to the second side edge 39 of the second section 38 of the vertical member 30 (e.g., the flanged member 20 may be described as extending from the lower edge 32 of the vertical member 30 to the distal edge 22, the first edge 26, and the second edge 28). In other words, the flanged member 20 may be defined by one or more edges, including the distal edge 22, first edge 26, and second edge 28, extending around the perimeter of the flanged member 20. In one or more embodiments, the ground contacting surface 24 may have a honeycomb pattern. Although the flanged member 20 as shown is flat or parallel to the ground surface, the flanged member 20 may not be parallel the ground surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 10-16, the flanged member of the post guard portions may be slanted, non-perpendicular to the vertical member. In other words, the flanged member of the post guard portions may form an obtuse angle with the vertical member. Further, for example, the flanged member may curve away from the vertical member (e.g., the flanged member may be curved). The flanged member 20 may have a length from the lower edge 32 of the vertical member 30 to the distal edge 22 that is about 1 inch to about 10 inches (e.g., 3 inches).

In the depicted embodiments, the corners of the flanged member 20 are rounded. In one or more embodiments, however, the corners of the flanged member 20 may have multiple shapes and configurations, e.g., squared off, angled, etc.

The post guard portion 10 further includes a first vertical interface region 40 of the first section 36 proximate the first side edge 37 thereof (e.g., in other words, the first section 36 includes a first vertical interface region 40) and a second vertical interface region 42 of the second section 38 proximate the second side edge 39 thereof (e.g., in other words, the second section 38 includes a first vertical interface region 42). Also, the post guard portion 10 further includes a first flange interface region 44 of the flanged member 20 proximate the first edge 26 thereof (e.g., in other words, the flanged member 20 includes a first flange interface region 44) and a second flange interface 46 region of the flanged member 20 proximate the second edge 28 thereof (e.g., in other words, the flanged member 20 includes a second flange interface region 46). The first interface regions 44 of each post guard portion of the four post guard portions may be interfaced with the second interface regions 46 of a different post guard portion 10 of the four post guard portions when the four post guard portions 10 are positioned together to, e.g., form the opening 12 for the post 16.

The interface regions may be any interface to provide coverage of the post and/or ground surfaces while being able to expand and contract to the configurations described herein. In one or more embodiments, the interface regions may be half-lap joints (e.g., each interface region may be a part or ½ of the half-lap joint). Further, in one or more embodiments, the interface regions may have graduated thicknesses that are stepped such that the overlap provides a secure and congruous joint.

The four post guard portions 10 are positionable together in a configuration between (and including) a closed configuration (FIGS. 2-3) and an expanded configuration (FIGS. 4-5) to, e.g., allow the post guard 100 to fit around multiple sizes of posts. The four post guard portions 10 are positioned together such that the first interface regions 40, 44 are completely interfaced with the second interface regions 42, 46, respectively, when in the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). As used herein, “completely interfaced” means that the first interface regions 40, 44 are in contact with the second interface regions 42, 46 as close as possible, e.g., they may not be in further contact without destroying the post guard portions 10.

The four post guard portions 10 are positioned together such that the first interface regions 40, 44 are located further away from the second interface regions 42, 46 when in the second expanded configuration (FIG. 4) than when in the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). In such second expanded configuration, the opening 12 is larger (FIGS. 4-5) than when in the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). Further, the first interface regions 40, 44 at least partially contact the second interface regions 42, 46 when in the expanded configuration (FIG. 4) to, e.g., form a continuous body.

The post guard 100 may be sized such that in the first closed configuration the post guard opening 12 is about 3 inches by about 3 inches (to, e.g., fit around posts of that size) and in the second expanded configuration the post guard opening 12 is about 6 inches by about 6 inches. In another embodiment, the post guard 100 may be sized such that in the first closed configuration the post guard opening 12 is about 6 inches by about 6 inches and in the second expanded configuration the post guard opening 12 is about 12 inches by about 12 inches. Further, the post guard 100 is adjustable such that the opening 12 may be any size between the first closed configuration and the second expanded configuration to, e.g., be adjusted to fit posts having a range of sizes.

In one or more embodiments, the vertical member 30 is perpendicular to the flanged member 20. Further, in one or more embodiments, each flanged member 20 of the four post guard portions 10 defines a length from the distal edge 22 to the lower edge 32 of the vertical member 30, each vertical member 30 of the four post guard portions 10 defines a length from the lower edge 32 to the upper edge 34, and the length of each flanged member 20 and the length of each vertical member 30 are substantially the same or the length of each flanged member 20 is shorter and/or longer than the length of each vertical member 30. Still further, in one or more embodiments, each vertical member 30 of the four post guard portions 10 defines an aperture/opening 14 for a fastener (e.g., a wood screw or nail) to extend therethrough to, e.g., couple the post guard portion 10 to a post.

Two additional exemplary post guards 200, 300 are depicted in FIGS. 7-9 and FIGS. 10-12, respectively. Post guard 200 may be substantially similar to the post guard 100 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-5, and as such, will not be further described herein.

Post guard 300 is also similar to the post guard 100 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Post guard 300, however, includes a lower-profile vertical member 330 (e.g., the height of the vertical member 330 is less than the length of the flanged member 320) and a slanted flanged member 320 extending from the lower edge 332 of the vertical member 330. Further, the angle alpha (FIG. 12) between the vertical member 330 and the flanged member 320 is about 100 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle alpha between the vertical member 330 and the flanged member 320 may be about 90 degrees to about 125 degrees. Because the slanted flanged member 320 is slanted, the ground-contacting surface of the flanged member 320 may not be parallel to a substantially flat ground surface. In other words, only a portion of the ground-contacting surface (e.g., around the outside) of the slanted flanged member 320 may contact a ground surface.

A post guard portion 310 that is used to form the post guard 300 is depicted in FIGS. 13-16. The post guard portion 310 further includes support features 312, e.g., to provide support to the vertical member 330.

Perspective views of a first portion 402 and a second portion 404 of an exemplary U-channel post guard 400 are depicted in FIGS. 17 & 18, respectively, and a top view of the first portion 402 and second portion 404 of the U-channel post guard 400 being positioned around a U-channel post 410 is depicted in FIG. 19. The U-channel post guard 400 is positionable around a U-channel post 410 for use in covering a ground surface around a U-channel post 410, e.g., to prevent vegetation growth underneath the U-channel post guard. U-channel post 410 may be any standard U-channel post having a U-shaped cross-section and defining a channel (i.e., the inside of the “U”) along the length thereof such as the U-channel posts used by many municipalities for traffic signs (e.g., stops signs).

The first portion 402 is configured to contact the channel side 412 of the U-channel post 410 and the second portion 404 is configured to contact the non-channel side 414 of the U-channel post 410 as shown in FIG. 19. Further, the first and second portions 402, 404 are configured to be positioned together to define an opening for the U-channel post 410 to extend therethrough.

Although the first and second portions 402, 404 are not identical, both share similar features. For example, each of the first and the second portions 402, 404 includes a vertical member 430 and a flanged member 420. The vertical member 430 extends from a lower edge 432 to an upper edge 434 and includes a post contacting surface 435 extending from a first side edge 436 to a second side edge 438, e.g., defining a portion of the opening when the first and second portions 402, 404 are positioned together.

The flanged member 420 includes a ground-contacting surface, a distal edge 422, a first edge 426 corresponding to the first side edge 436 of the vertical member 430, and a second edge 428 corresponding to the second side edge 438 of the vertical member 430 (e.g., the flanged member 420 may be described as extending from the lower edge 432 of the vertical member 430 to the distal edge 422 between the first edge 426 and the second edge 428).

Further, each of the first and second portions 402, 404 (e.g., the flanged members 420 of the first and second portions 402, 404) includes a first flange interface region 444 of the flanged member 420 proximate the first edge 426 thereof and a second flange interface region 446 of the flanged member 420 proximate the second edge 428 thereof. The first interface region 444 of the first portion 402 interfaces with the second interface region 446 of the second portion 404 and the second interface region 446 of the first portion 402 interfaces with the first interface region 444 of the second portion 404 when the first and second portions 402, 404 are positioned together (FIG. 19). The interface regions 444, 446 may be substantially similar to the interface regions 44, 46 of the post guard portion 10 as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-5, and as such, will not be further described herein.

The first portion 402 of the U-channel post guard 400 is configured differently than the second portion 404 in that the vertical member 430 is in a different position in the first portion 402 than the second portion 404. For example, the vertical member 430 of the first portion 402 is configured to contact the channel side 412 of the U-channel post 410 (e.g., a surface located within the channel of the U-channel post 410) while the vertical member 430 of the second portion 404 is configured to contact the non-channel side 414 of the U-channel post 410 as shown in FIG. 19. Further, the flanged member 420 of the first portion 402 includes an extension member 440 that positions the vertical member 430 within the channel of the U-channel post 410 and defines side slots 441 for receiving side portions of the U-channel post 410. As shown, the extension member 440 is tapered, e.g., to conform to the inside of the channel of the U-channel post and to locate the post contacting surface 435 adjacent a surface in the channel of the U-channel post. In one or more embodiments, the extension member 440 may be smaller (e.g., the extension member 440 may taper at a greater angle) than the channel of the U-channel post to, e.g., allow some “play” within in the channel of the U-channel post for further adjustability. Still further, the flanged member 420 of the second portion 404 defines a center slot 442 for receiving the U-channel post 410.

Each vertical member 430 of the first and second portions 402, 404 defines an aperture 405 for a fastener to extend therethrough (e.g., and further through an aperture in the U-channel post). As shown the aperture 405 is a slot, e.g., to allow for adjustability.

A ground-covering apparatus 500 is depicted in FIGS. 20-21 and a ground-covering apparatus portion 510 is depicted in FIG. 22. The ground-covering apparatus 500 may be substantially similar to the post guards described herein but adapted to be used with various fixtures located on or in the ground, e.g., a gravestone, an electrical box, a cable box, fire hydrant, concrete-slab, a post, a foundation, etc. As such, the post guards described herein may be considered to be an example of ground-covering apparatus. For example, each ground-covering apparatus portion 510 of the ground-covering apparatus 500 includes a flanged member 520 and a vertical member 530.

Further, the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be used in at least two configurations. In a first configuration (as shown in FIG. 22 using a single ground-covering apparatus portion 510), the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be positioned around a fixture (e.g., a gravestone) such that the vertical member 530 extends upwardly from the ground surface to, e.g., protect a lower portion of the fixture (e.g., a gravestone). In a second configuration (as oriented in FIG. 20), the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be positioned around a fixture (e.g., a gravestone) such that the vertical member 530 extends downwardly into the ground (e.g., the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be inserted and/or forced into the ground).

Still further, the ground-covering apparatus 500 may have specific dimensions, e.g., such that the ground-covering apparatus may be mass produced for use with a plurality of uniformly sized fixtures (e.g., gravestones at a national cemetery). For example, the opening defined by the ground-covering apparatus may have a length 512 of about 13 inches and a width 513 of about 4 inches (e.g., to fit around a gravestone), and the vertical member 530 may have a length 514 of about 2 inches.

In at least one embodiment, the ground-covering apparatus 500 may further include elongated extensions that do not include a first section and a second section of the vertical member oriented perpendicularly. Instead, the elongated extensions may include straight elongated vertical and flanged members for spanning long straight surfaces of fixtures. Further, the elongated extensions may further include interfaces regions for interfacing with the interface regions of ground-covering apparatus portions.

A fence guard 50 is shown in FIGS. 23-25. The fence guard 50 may be located beneath a fence to cover a ground surface to, e.g., prevent vegetation growth underneath the fence. The fence guard 50 includes a fence guard body 52 extending from a first end 54 to a second end 55 and defining a first surface 56 and a second surface opposite the first surface 56. The fence guard 50 further includes an interface region 58 located at the first end 54 of the fence guard body 52 for interfacing with another interface region of another fence guard to, e.g., join multiple fence guards together to extend the effective length of the fence guard. The second end 55 of the fence guard body 52 may be substantially flat to, e.g., join with another fence guard or to abut a flat surface (e.g., a wall). In one or more embodiments, the fence guard 50 includes an interface region 58 located at both ends of the fence guard 50. Further, in one or more embodiments, each end of the fence guard body 52 may be substantially flat.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guard 50 includes at least one stability structure (e.g., two V-shaped stability structures 61 as shown in FIGS. 23-25, a squared U-shaped stability structure, etc.). As shown, the fence guard body 52 includes three sections: a center section 64 defining a plane; a first side section 62 coupled to the center section 64 (e.g., a V-shaped stability structure 61 may be located at the coupling between the first side section 62 and the center section 64); and a second side section 66 coupled to the center section 64 (e.g., a V-shaped stability structure 61 may be located at the coupling between the second side section 66 and the center section 64). In other embodiments, the fence guard 50 may include more or less than three sections. The first side section 62 and the second side section 62, as depicted in FIG. 25, do not lie in the plane defined by the center section 64.

As shown in FIG. 23 each interface region 58 includes an opening 59 for receiving a post 16. Further, the fence guard body 52 may define at least one opening 63 for a stake 53 to extend therethrough to, e.g., secure the fence guard to a ground surface 11. In one or more embodiments, the fence guard body 52 may not define openings 63 for stakes 53 but rather be configured such that stakes 53 may be driven through the fence guard body 52 into a ground surface 11.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guard may be secured to the ground surface at diagonally opposed positions along the length of the guard with unique stakes. The unique stakes may feature graduating angles of winged blades to, e.g., provide a firm connection between the fence guard and the ground surface. In one embodiment, the fence guard is about 94 inches in length and 10.75 inches in width, which, e.g., may accommodate many standard wood and vinyl fences and post dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the fence guard may have any length and/or width to accommodate fences having various sizes.

Further, the post guards and fence guards described herein may be many different colors, e.g., dull hunter green, white, brown, etc.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guards and/or post guards may include a series of special “keys” that may connect with additional structures of the fences guards and/or post guards (e.g., the stability structures). For example, such “keys” may be used in a “key and lock” connection at either end of the fence guards.

Any features, components, and/or properties of any of the embodiments described herein may be incorporated into any other embodiment(s) described herein.

All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately. This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrative embodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. As described previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that other various illustrative applications may use the techniques as described herein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of the apparatus and methods described herein. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the disclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.

Claims

1. A post guard for use in protecting posts of varying sizes, wherein the post guard comprises four post guard portions, wherein each post guard portion is configured to cover at least a portion of a corner of a post, wherein the four post guard portions are configured to be positioned together to define an opening for a post to extend therethrough, and further wherein each post guard portion of the four post guard portions comprises:

a vertical member extending from a lower edge to an upper edge, wherein the vertical member comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections comprise a post contacting surface extending from a first side edge of the first section to a second side edge of the second section defining a portion of the opening, wherein the first section is perpendicular to the second section thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of the post; and

a flanged member comprises a ground contacting surface and extends from the lower edge of the vertical member to a distal edge between a first edge of the flanged member corresponding to the first side edge of the first section and a second edge of the flanged member corresponding to the second side edge of the second section,

wherein each post guard portion further comprises a first vertical interface region of the first section proximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interface region of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof, wherein each post guard portion further comprises a first flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region of the flanged member proximate the second edge thereof, wherein the first interface regions of each post guard portion of the four post guard portions interface with the second interface regions of a different post guard portion of the four post guard portions when the four post guard portions are positioned together, wherein the four post guard portions are positionable together in a configuration between a closed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the four post guard portions are positioned together such that the first interface regions are completely interfaced with the second interface regions when in the first closed configuration, wherein the four post guard portions are positioned together such that the first interface regions are located further away from the second interface regions when in the second expanded configuration than when in the first closed configuration, and wherein the first interface regions at least partially contact the second interface regions when in the expanded configuration.

2. The post guard of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is perpendicular to the flanged member.

3. The post guard of claim 1, wherein the vertical member forms an obtuse angle with the flanged member.

4. The post guard of claim 1, wherein each flanged member of the four post guard portions defines a length from the distal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein each vertical member of the four post guard portions defines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein the length of each flanged member and the length of each vertical member are substantially the same.

5. The post guard of claim 1, wherein each flanged member of the four post guard portions defines a length from the distal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein each vertical member of the four post guard portions defines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein the length of each vertical member is shorter than the length of each flanged member.

6. The post guard of claim 1, wherein each vertical member of the four post guard portions defines an aperture for a fastener to extend therethrough.

7. The post guard of claim 1, wherein the interface regions comprise half-lap joints.

8. The post guard of claim 1, wherein each post guard portion comprises a polymer.

9. A ground-covering apparatus portion for use with one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions in covering a ground surface around fixtures of varying sizes, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portion comprises:

a vertical member extending from a lower edge to an upper edge, wherein the vertical member comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections comprise a fixture-contacting surface extending from a first side edge of the first section to a second side edge of the second section, wherein the first section is perpendicular to the second section thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of a fixture, and wherein the vertical member further comprises a first vertical interface region of the first section proximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interface region of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof; and

a flanged member comprising a ground contacting surface, a distal edge, a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first section, and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the second section, and wherein the flanged member further comprises a first flange interface region proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region proximate the second edge thereof,

wherein the first interface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion are interfaceable with the second interface regions of one of the one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions and the second interface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion are interfaceable with the first interface regions of one of the one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions.

10. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the vertical member is perpendicular to the flanged member.

11. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the first section of the vertical member defines a length from the first side edge to the second section of the vertical member, wherein the second section of the vertical member defines a length from the second side edge to the first section of the vertical member, and wherein the length of the first section is longer than the length of the second section.

12. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the flanged member defines a length from the distal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein the vertical member defines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein the length of the flanged member and the length of the vertical member are substantially the same.

13. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the flanged member defines a length from the distal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein the vertical member defines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein the length of the vertical member is shorter than the length of the flanged member.

14. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portion is configured to be used with one or more additional ground-covering apparatus portions in covering a ground surface around a gravestone.

15. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the interface regions comprise half-lap joints.

16. The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portion comprises a polymer.

17. A U-channel post guard for use in covering a ground surface around a U-channel post, wherein the U-channel post comprises a channel side and non-channel side opposite the channel side and defines a channel on the channel side extending along a length of the U-channel post, wherein the U-channel post guard comprises:

a first portion configured to contact the channel side of the U-channel post; and

a second portion configured to contact the non-channel side of the U-channel post, wherein the first and second portions are configured to be positioned together to define an opening for the U-channel post to extend therethrough, and further wherein each of the first and the second portions comprises: a vertical member extending from a lower edge to an upper edge and comprising a post contacting surface extending from a first side edge to a second side edge defining a portion of the opening, and a flanged member coupled to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein the flanged member comprises a ground contacting surface, a distal edge, a first flange interface region corresponding to the first side edge of the vertical member, and a second flange interface region corresponding to the second side edge of the vertical member,

wherein the first interface region of the first portion interfaces with the second interface region of the second portion and the second interface region of the first portion interfaces with the first interface region of the second portion when the first and second portions are positioned together, and further wherein the first and the second portions are positionable together such that the vertical member of the first portion is located within the longitudinal channel of the U-channel post.

18. The U-channel post guard of claim 17, wherein each vertical member of the first and second portions defines an aperture for a fastener to extend therethrough.

19. The U-channel post guard of claim 18, where the aperture comprises a slot.

20. The U-channel post guard of claim 17, wherein the interface regions comprise half-lap joints.