IP Library Granted Patent US 12,312,821
Granted Patent B2
US 12,312,821 · App. 18/093,490 · Granted May 27, 2025

Adaptable, temporary landscape protection structure

Inventors: Eric Mackintosh (Tyler, TX); Heath Hicks (Tyler, TX)
E04G21/30
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,312,821
App. No.
18/093,490
Granted
May 27, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for providing adaptable, reusable, temporary landscape protection at job sites are provided. Temporary structures are constructed which extend over the landscape features when installed. Protective cloths are placed over the temporary structures while work is performed and are subsequently removed. The temporary structures are deconstructed for reconstruction in different form at different job sites to protect different landscape features. The temporary structures may be of various size and shape, specific to the landscape features.

Claims (89)

1. A method for providing adaptable, reusable, temporary land scape protection at a job site comprising:

constructing temporary structures for landscape features located at the job site;

placing each of the temporary structures over a respective one of landscape features at the job site;

placing sheets of solid material at upper portions of the temporary structures;

placing protective cloths over the temporary structures and the sheets of solid material such that the protective cloths extend over a top and at least two sides of the temporary structures, wherein each of the protective cloths comprise netting with holes;

performing work at the job site;

removing the protective cloths; and

deconstructing the temporary structures.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the temporary structures is different in configuration from another of the temporary structures; and

each of the temporary structures is configured to extend over the respective one of the landscape features.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the temporary structures are constructed from a series of standard components comprising: members and connectors.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

the members comprise rigid, straight line members; and

at least one of the members comprise a stake for placement in the ground.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein:

the members comprise rigid, straight line members; and

the connectors comprise apertures configured to receive a portion of at least three of the members at an acute angle relative to one another.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein:

the members comprise rigid, straight line members; and

the connectors comprise apertures configured to receive a portion of each of the members at perpendicular angles relative to one another.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein:

each of the connectors comprise at least three apertures with a common origin extending perpendicular relative to each other.

8. The method of claim 1 :

wherein the protective cloths each comprises a series of handles located along an outer perimeter of the netting; and

further comprising:

depositing debris at the protective cloths during performance of a job at the job site;

folding the protective cloths to capture the deposited debris; and

disposing of the deposited debris.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

the job is a roof replacement or repair;

the job site is a residence or commercial property;

the temporary structures are constructed at the job site;

the holes have a diameter not exceeding 0.25 inches;

the netting is configured to capture shingles dropped from a height of at least 20 feet; and

the solid material comprises plywood.

10. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

constructing a second set of temporary structures configured to extend over landscape features of a second job site from the members and connectors, said second set of temporary structures being different in at least one of size, shape, and composition from the temporary structures;

placing the second set of temporary structures over the landscape features at the second job site;

placing the protective cloths over the second set of temporary structures;

performing a job at the second job site;

removing the protective cloths from the second set of temporary structures; and

deconstructing the second set of temporary structures for removal from the second job site.

11. A method for providing adaptable, reusable, temporary landscape protection at a job site comprising:

evaluating landscape features at the job site for protection;

selecting a subset of the landscape features for added protection;

constructing temporary structures at the job site configured to extend over the subset of the landscape features, said temporary structures comprising rigid straight-line members and connectors with apertures configured to receive and temporarily secure the members relative to one another, wherein at least one of the temporary structures is different in configuration from another one of the temporary structures;

placing the temporary structures over the subset of the landscape features;

placing plywood sheets at upper surfaces of the temporary structures;

placing protective cloths comprising netting and handles located about a perimeter of the netting over the plywood sheets;

performing a roof replacement at the job site, including depositing roofing debris at the protective cloths;

folding the cloths to capture the deposited roofing debris;

removing the folded cloths from the temporary structures; and

deconstructing the temporary structures for removal from the job site.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

evaluating landscape features at a second job site for protection;

selecting a subset of the landscape features at the second job site for added protection;

constructing a second set of temporary structures at the second job site configured to extend over the subset of the landscape features of the second job site from the members and connectors, at least some of said second set of temporary structures being different in at least one of size, shape, and composition from the temporary structures, wherein at least one of said second set of temporary structures is different in configuration from another one of said second set of temporary structures;

placing the second set of temporary structures over the subset of the landscape features at the second job site;

placing the plywood sheets over upper surfaces of the second set of temporary structures;

placing the protective cloths over the plywood sheets at the second set of temporary structures;

performing a roof replacement at the second job site, including depositing roofing debris at the protective cloths;

folding the cloths to capture the deposited roofing debris;

removing the folded cloths from the second set of temporary structures; and

deconstructing the second set of temporary structures for removal from the second job site.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:

each of said second set of temporary structures is different in all of size, shape, and composition from each of the temporary structures.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the subset comprises some, but not all, of the landscape features.

15. A method for providing adaptable, reusable, temporary landscape protection at a job site comprising:

constructing temporary structures for landscape features located at the job site;

placing each of the temporary structures over a respective one of landscape features at the job site;

placing sheets of solid material only at upper portions of the temporary structures;

placing protective cloths over the temporary structures and sheets of solid material, wherein the protective cloths each comprises a netting and a series of handles located along an outer perimeter of the netting;

performing work at the job site, including depositing debris at the protective cloths;

removing the protective cloths, including folding the protective cloths to capture the deposited debris;

disposing of the depositing debris; and

deconstructing the temporary structures.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein:

the step of placing the protective clothes over the temporary structure comprises placing the protective cloths such that the protective cloths extend over a top and at least partially along at least two sides of the temporary structures; and

each of the protective cloths comprise netting with holes.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the job is a roof replacement or repair;

the job site is a residence or commercial property;

the temporary structures are constructed at the job site;

the holes have a diameter not exceeding 0.25 inches;

the netting is configured to capture shingles dropped from a height of at least 20 feet; and

the solid material comprises plywood.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63296687 · Jan 5, 2022
Related Publication 20230212867A1 · Jul 6, 2023
References Cited (35)
US 199353A · Clark · 1878 [cited by examiner]
US 4730423A · Hughes · 1988 [cited by examiner]
US 5083396A · Traut · 1992 [cited by examiner]
US 5226264A · Walters · 1993 [cited by examiner]
US 5451445A · Wang · 1995 [cited by examiner]
US 6618988B2 · Williams · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 6625924B2 · Lundgren · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 7017299B1 · Speed · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 7562453B1 · Benner · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 9181723B2 · Schaefer · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 10660276B1 · Harris · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10724246B1 · Hicks · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10980191B2 · Lysak · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 11226121B1 · Hornbacher · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11602103B2 · Carlson · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20020046484A1 · Lundgren · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 20050022853A1 · Scissom · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 20060185708A1 · Sylvestre · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20070246464A1 · Horcher, III · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20070266625A1 · Markis · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20120090230A1 · Frost · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20170145606A1 · Toye · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20170238478A1 · Brough · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180177167A1 · Topping · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180310491A1 · Cunial · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20190059240A1 · Scott · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20220312693A1 · Aiken · 2022 [cited by examiner]
Barth,S., A Guide to Protecting Your Garden During Roof Installation, https://barthroofing.com/blog/roofing/a-guide-to-protecting-your-garde . . . , Oct. 12, 2021, Webpage accessed Nov. 30, 2022, Barth Roofing Co., 3 pa… [cited by applicant]
JL Roofing & Siding, a Homeowners Guide to Protecting Your Outdoor Spaces During Roofing Projects, https://www.jlroofingandsiding.com/a-homeowners-quide-to-protecting-your-outdoor-spaces-during-roofing-projects/, 2019, … [cited by applicant]
Gardeners Supply Company, Cedar A-Frame Shrub Guards, https://www.gardeners.com/buy/cedar-scrub-guard/8610313.html, Webpage accessed Nov. 28, 2022, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
Able Roofing, How to Prepare for a Roof Replacements, https://www.ableroof.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-roof-replacement/, Mar. 24, 2021, Webpage accessed Nov. 28, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Restoration Roofing, How to Protect Your Landscaping During a New Roof Installation, https://www.restorationroofing.com/how-to-protect-your-landscaping-a-new-roof-installation/, 2022, Webpage accessed Nov. 28, 2022, 3 p… [cited by applicant]
Gardeners Supply Company, Shade Kit 4′×8′ for Gardens or Sandboxes Gardener's Supply, https://www.gardeners.com/buy/shade-kit-4-×-8/8598156.html, Webpage accessed Nov. 28, 2022, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Gebhart, B., Useful Tips to Protect Your Landscape During a Job, https://www.thomasroofing.net/useful-tips-to-protect-your-landscape-during-a-roofing-job/, Feb. 23, 2022, Webpage accessed Nov. 28, 2022, The Thomas Roofi… [cited by applicant]
Amazon, Uygalaxy Garden Mesh Netting Kit, Mini Greenhouse Kit to Build Tunnel Hoops + Film + Plant Covers (Freeze Protection) + Mesh Netting + Support Stakes All Season for Outdoors, Tomato,Raised Bed Nursery Patio, Law… [cited by applicant]