A stake consists of two planar panels joined on a longitudinal axis and angularly disposed with respect to one another. lower portions of the panels converge to a tip on the axis, and an axial tang is formed at the top of the stake. An inwardly directed flange is formed near the top of each panel, the flanges being disposed substantially in a common plane, generally perpendicular to the panels. The flanges and the tang facilitate driving of the stake into a substrate by use of a power hammer, and the driven stake resists both upward and lateral displacement. It is especially adapted for the securement of edging for restraining paving and landscaping materials.
|
8. A stake constructed to be driven lengthwise into a surface, and having a top, a bottom, and opposite lateral edges, said stake being integrally formed as a single piece from a strong, rigid metal, and consisting essentially of two generally planar panels joined to one another along a common rectilinear longitudinal axis and disposed with an internal angle of 45° to 135° therebetween, each of said two panels providing one of said opposite lateral edges extending substantially along the entire length of said stake, said lateral edges of said two panels converging, at least along a lower portion of said stake, to form a tip on said common longitudinal axis at the bottom of said stake, each of said panels having a flange portion at the top of said stake spaced from said longitudinal axis, said flange portions extending inwardly of said stake and being disposed substantially in a common plane that is generally perpendicular to the planes of said panels, said panels cooperatively forming a tang portion, of V-shaped transaxial cross section, at the top of said stake, on said longitudinal axis, extending upwardly beyond said flange portions.
1. An assembly comprised of a length of edging for retaining or restraining a landscaping, covering, or paving material, including a bottom wall having front and rear edges, and a lateral wall upstanding along one or said edges of said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said lateral wall of said length of edging being substantially perpendicular to one another, said length of edging being constructed for being disposed against a supporting surface; and a stake for securing said length of edging against such a surface; said length of edging having at least one generally V-shaped aperture extending through said bottom wall thereof and consisting essentially of two slot elements connected at adjacent ends thereof and disposed at an angle of about 45° to 135° to one another, said at least one aperture in said bottom wall having an apex between said adjacent ends of said slot elements and being oriented with said apex proximate said lateral wall of said length of edging, and said stake being constructed for being driven, lengthwise through said aperture in said bottom wall of said length of edging; said stake having a top, a bottom, and opposite lateral edges, and being comprised of two generally planar panels joined to one another along a common rectilinear longitudinal axis and disposed with an internal angle corresponding to the angle between said slot elements of said aperture through said bottom all of said length of edging, each of said panels providing one of said opposite lateral edges extending substantially along the entire length of said stake, said lateral edges of said panels converging, at least along a lower portion of said stake, to form a tip on said common, longitudinal axis at the bottom of said stake, each of said panels having a flange portion at the top of said stake spaced from said longitudinal axis, said flange portions extending inwardly of said stake and being disposed substantially in a common plane that is generally perpendicular to the planes of said panels, said panels cooperatively forming a tang portion at the top of said stake, on said longitudinal axis, extending upwardly beyond said flange portions.
4. The assembly of
5. The assembly of
6. The assembly of
7. The assembly of
10. The stake of
|
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/632,005, filed Jan. 4, 2018 and entitled “STAKE.”
Various forms of stakes are widely employed for a variety of purposes; e.g., as supports, props, tethers, braces, fencing, boundary markers, etc. Of particular interest to the present invention is the provision of a stake that is effective for the securement of a structural member against a surface, especially a structural member that serves for the retention and restraint of landscaping or covering materials, pavers, and the like, deposited or laid upon the ground, a base, or other substrates.
Such restraint and retention members are described in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,303 provides a structure for holding paving blocks, which structure is secured by driving nails through it into the ground. U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,993 provides an elongated landscape retaining or edging strip that is held in place by spikes, driven into the ground, for retention and/or separation of beds of earth or other landscaping fill (i.e., gravel, rock, bark, dirt, sand, mulch) or the retention and maintenance of paving materials (i.e., bricks, paving stones, rock, gravel, etc.).
As is emphasized in both of the above-identified patents, the natural freezing and thawing cycle of the ground (and other permeable outdoor substrates), as well as vehicular the pedestrian traffic, causes movement of deposited landscaping and paving materials. Also recognized therein it the tendency of securing nails and spikes to come loose and pull up out of the ground. Lateral displacement of the ground-engaging fasteners, for which there is a particular tendency with packed clear or open stone substrates, does not appear to have been recognized or addressed.
Accordingly, it is the broad object of the present invention to provide a novel stake that is constructed for being driven into a surface, which stake resists lateral as well as axial displacement.
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a stake which is especially adapted for being driven by a power hammer (but can also be driven manually, such as with a mallet).
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a stake having the foregoing features and advantages, which is especially adapted for the securement of a structural member against a supporting surface, particularly for the securement of a structural member that comprises a lateral retaining or restraining wall and, especially, an edging member for landscaping, covering, or paving materials.
An additional broad object of the invention is the provision of a novel assembly of a structural member, in particular a structural member that comprises a length of edging for retaining or restraining landscaping, covering, and paving materials, and a stake for the ground or substrate engaging securement thereof.
It has now been found that certain of the foregoing and related objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a stake constructed to be driven lengthwise into a surface and having a top, a bottom, and opposite lateral edges, the stake being comprises of two generally planar panels joined to one another along a common rectilinear longitudinal axis and disposed with a internal angle of 45° to 135° therebetween. Each of the two panels provides one of the opposite lateral edges extending substantially along the entire length of the stake, with the lateral edges of the panels converging, at least along a lower portion of the stake, to form a tip on the common longitudinal axis at the bottom of the stake. A flange portion is provided at the top of each of the panels of the stake, spaced from its longitudinal axis; the flange portions extend inwardly of the stake and are disposed substantially in a common plane that is generally perpendicular to the planes of the panels. A tang portion extends upwardly beyond the flange portions at the top of the stake, on the longitudinal axis.
Generally, the stake will be fabricated from a strong, rigid metal, and integrally formed as a single piece. The internal angle between the panels of the stake will usually have a value of about 90°, and the stake will usually be substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.
Other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of an assembly comprised of a structural member constructed for being disposed against a supporting surface; and a stake for securing said structural member against such a surface. The structural member has at least one generally V-shaped aperture extending through a portion thereof, comprised of two connected slot elements disposed at an angle of about 40° to 135° to one another. The stake is constructed, as herein described, for being driven lengthwise through the aperture in the identified portion of the structural member.
In preferred embodiments of the assembly described, the “portion” of the structural member referred to will comprise a bottom wall having front and read edges, and the structural member will further comprise a lateral wall upstanding along one of the edges of the bottom wall. The V-shaped aperture in the bottom wall will preferably have an apex between slot elements of which it is comprised, and be oriented with the apex proximate the lateral wall. Most desirably, the structural member comprising the assembly will be in the form of a length, typically eight feet long, of edging for retaining and restraining landscaping, covering, or paving material, with the bottom wall and the lateral wall thereof being substantially perpendicular to one another and formed with a multiplicity of apertures. As installed, the bottom wall of such edging will normally be substantially horizontal (depending upon underlying surface characteristics), and the lateral wall will normally be substantially vertical.
Turning now in detail to
Upper portions of the panels 12 are cut longitudinally, at a short distance from the axis 14, to define tabs, which are bent inwardly to provide a flange portion 22 on each panel 12. The flange portions 22 are disposed substantially in a common plane, which lies substantially perpendicular to the planes of the panels 12. Undistorted areas of the panels 12 cooperatively define a tang portion 24, of V-shaped transaxial cross section, which extends upwardly of the flange portions 22 on the longitudinal axis 14.
As will be appreciated, the stake 10 can conveniently and economically be fabricated from steel (as “angle iron,”), aluminum, or other metals, by conventional means. However, depending in part upon the intended application, stakes embodying the invention may be molded from suitable strong and rigid synthetic resinous materials, compositions of which will be evident to those skilled in the art, having in mind the functions and features described herein. Typically, stakes embodying the invention (as used for securing an edging member, described below) will be about 10 to 14 inches long and about two inches on a side, but again proportions and dimension may vary widely depending upon the specific intended application and other self-evident factors; generally, through, the stake will not be less than six or more than 24 inches long.
Turning now in greater detail to
As best seen in
Needless to say, the flanges 22 also serve to reinforce and strengthen the stake panels 12 and, when the stake 10 is driven home, to provide good contact with the areas of the base wall 32 of the edging member 30 adjacent the slot portions that define the V-shaped aperture 36, and thus maximizing the hold-down force. It also goes without saying that the large surface areas presented by the panels 12 afford a high level of frictional engagement with the medium of the substrate S into which the stake 10 is driven, thereby optimizing its holding power.
As seen in
It will be appreciated that the assembly herein described can be employed against any suitable substrate, and that edging embodying the structural member thereof may be used to restrain, retain, and/or confine any paving, covering, or landscaping material mentioned hereinabove or otherwise known to those skilled in the art. Normally, such edging will be molded from a synthetic resinous material, such as high density polyethylene; but metals such as steel and aluminum may also be used for fabrication, if so desired and/or for reasons of economy.
Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel stake that is constructed for being driven into a surface, which stake resists lateral as well as axial displacement and is particularly adapted for being driven by a power hammer. The stake of the invention is especially adapted for the securement of a structural member against a supporting surface, particularly for the securement of a structural member that comprises a lateral retaining or restraining wall, and especially edging (i.e., a restraining member) for landscaping, covering, or paving materials. The invention also provides novel assembly of a structural member, in particular a structural member that comprises a length of edging, and a stake for the substrate-engaging securement thereof.
Bahler, Philip J., Bahler, Kent R.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
ER1829, | |||
ER2594, |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10398093, | Jan 04 2018 | TOOLBRO INNOVATORS, LLC | Stake securing a landscaping edging strip |
10729077, | Apr 27 2018 | TOOLBRO INNOVATORS, LLC | Edging member, system, and arrangement for landscaping or paving |
1146128, | |||
1377832, | |||
1592128, | |||
205685, | |||
2149081, | |||
2322600, | |||
2349110, | |||
2783767, | |||
3073433, | |||
3143783, | |||
3280829, | |||
3456660, | |||
3534751, | |||
3579908, | |||
3638863, | |||
3788336, | |||
412766, | |||
4135668, | Apr 07 1977 | Alpha Nova Development Corp. | Soaker hose support |
4156332, | Aug 29 1977 | Knockdown sign post assembly | |
4167885, | Aug 17 1977 | Eaton Corporation | Sheet metal nail and method for producing same |
4195809, | Aug 23 1978 | AMIDA INDUSTRIES, INC | Screed bar support stake and method |
4258523, | Nov 01 1979 | Grape stake | |
448180, | |||
4520985, | Sep 22 1982 | Gelhaar Uniform Company | Playing field boundary flag and support therefor |
4619440, | Feb 02 1983 | Fencing device, a stake, a fastener and an assembly part for such a device | |
4699165, | Apr 16 1985 | Fabric-engaging stake | |
4718708, | Sep 17 1984 | ZAC TOOL MFG , INC | Tool product and method of making |
4750508, | Aug 06 1986 | Collapsible beach sunshade | |
484998, | |||
4870781, | Apr 28 1988 | MARTIN, EDWARD W JR ; MARTIN, PATRICIA RUTH | Combination tree support and feeder stake |
4922654, | Nov 25 1988 | Plant or seedling support stake | |
4944476, | Dec 16 1988 | Ground stake for retaining irrigation conduit | |
5082231, | Jan 22 1991 | Post holder and marker therefor | |
5092076, | Jan 04 1991 | Planter edging landscaping system | |
5097912, | May 06 1991 | Staking system for concrete forms | |
5212917, | Dec 23 1991 | Brickstop Corporation | Brick edging device |
5226829, | May 20 1992 | Underground stake device | |
5230187, | Jul 25 1991 | Stake for landscape edging and concrete formwork | |
5240343, | Dec 12 1989 | BRAVO FOXTROT HOLDINGS, INC | Holding device for paving blocks |
5283994, | Jun 19 1992 | Callison & Associates XXI, Inc. | Landscape timber system |
5301461, | Dec 04 1992 | Permaloc Corporation | Edging strip |
531196, | |||
5415194, | Aug 07 1992 | Sheet supporting | |
5442877, | Apr 06 1994 | SOLUTIONS, INC | Modular landscape borders |
545194, | |||
5640801, | Sep 25 1995 | VALLEY VIEW INDUSTRIES H C | Landscape border divider |
5662134, | Sep 23 1996 | Tent apparatus | |
6030144, | Jan 14 1997 | ACCU-EDGE, INC | Edging resistant system for paving blocks |
6071038, | Sep 02 1998 | BRAVO FOXTROT HOLDINGS, INC | Device for holding paving blocks in position |
6085458, | Dec 31 1997 | Lawn edging | |
6099201, | Jul 16 1998 | Pavement edging | |
6230451, | May 11 1999 | Sto-Cote Products, Inc. | Ice skating rink structure |
6336599, | Jul 14 2000 | Sprinkler spray shield | |
6379078, | Feb 22 1999 | Permaloc Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing an edging structure for pavement |
6401408, | Jan 29 2001 | Plastics Research Corporation | Molded plastic stake with multiple shoulders |
6402115, | Aug 16 1999 | LTL HOME PRODUCTS, INC | Method for manufacturing an anchor device and the product thereof |
6409421, | May 11 1998 | Overlapping connector for an edge restraint | |
6461084, | Dec 23 1998 | LMI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD | Post anchor |
6668484, | Oct 12 2000 | RICCOBENE MASONRY COMPANY, INC | Garden edging system |
6767159, | May 11 1998 | Overlapping connector for an edge restraint | |
716010, | |||
7195421, | Feb 24 2005 | Device for holding paving blocks | |
7472874, | Apr 11 2006 | Peak Innovations Inc. | Ground stake |
7774993, | Oct 05 2006 | BRAVO FOXTROT HOLDINGS, INC | Elongated edging assembly |
7967524, | Mar 07 2008 | Pave Tech Inc. | Stackable landscape edging |
8038082, | Nov 14 2005 | Netafim Ltd | Irrigation emitter stake |
8915027, | Sep 27 2013 | James A., Alfieri, III | Edging system for unit pavement system |
9689176, | Aug 04 2016 | Anchoring device | |
20030084620, | |||
20080163566, | |||
20090038238, | |||
20100186293, | |||
20100223825, | |||
20100293871, | |||
20130263531, | |||
20140259902, | |||
20180155892, | |||
20190174685, | |||
CA1038591, | |||
CA3001030, | |||
164994, | |||
209439, | |||
222983, | |||
230218, | |||
D243509, | Mar 18 1976 | The John Henry Company | Plant stake |
D248919, | Oct 01 1975 | Plant growth control stake | |
D316367, | Dec 27 1988 | Ground stake for retaining irrigation conduit | |
D364785, | Apr 26 1993 | Combined plant and fence stake | |
D377076, | Nov 28 1995 | Adams Mfg. Corp. | Tent stake |
D378980, | Dec 08 1995 | Thayer Industries, Inc. | Tie-down stake |
D380569, | Mar 16 1995 | The L.D. Kichler Co. | Ground stake |
D412586, | Apr 08 1998 | PC Sports, Inc. | Stake |
D415018, | Oct 02 1997 | The L. D. Kichler Co. | Ground stake |
D419403, | Oct 15 1998 | SOUTHEAST BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC | Grade stake |
D422897, | Sep 09 1999 | ANI Corporation Ltd. | Post anchor |
D424960, | Sep 07 1999 | Marking stake | |
D426147, | Jun 24 1999 | Beach blanket stake | |
D432371, | May 13 1999 | Plant support | |
D438435, | Dec 21 1998 | TREND MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA, INC | Stake |
D446868, | Sep 08 2000 | Plastics Research Corporation | Injection molded stake |
D457039, | Jan 29 2001 | Grade stake | |
D469566, | Feb 08 2002 | GEMMY INDUSTRIES, INC | Light stake |
D493205, | Dec 06 2002 | Ground stake | |
D553919, | Apr 03 2006 | Peak Innovations Inc. | Ground stake |
D574520, | Aug 31 2007 | BORAL BUILDING PRODUCTS INC | Corner trim piece |
D582732, | Nov 15 2007 | Stake with attached clip and removable variable ornamental top | |
D600823, | Oct 29 2008 | Syler Group Co., Ltd. | Universal fencing stake |
D600824, | Oct 29 2008 | Syler Group Co., Ltd. | Universal fencing stake |
D600825, | Oct 29 2008 | Syler Group Co. Ltd. | Universal fencing stake |
D616113, | May 22 2009 | Trim-Tex, Inc.; Trim-Tex, Inc | Drywall corner trimming strip with center projection |
D706095, | Jun 20 2013 | Lateral support arm for attachment to an agricultural stake | |
DE1020110034600, | |||
EP1430768, | |||
FR1201689, | |||
GB184586, | |||
GB191114174, | |||
KR20180047964, | |||
WO2005055701, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Oct 14 2020 | TOOLBRO INNOVATORS, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Oct 14 2020 | BIG: Entity status set to Undiscounted (note the period is included in the code). |
Oct 15 2020 | SMAL: Entity status set to Small. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Mar 28 2026 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Sep 28 2026 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 28 2027 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Mar 28 2029 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Mar 28 2030 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Sep 28 2030 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 28 2031 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Mar 28 2033 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Mar 28 2034 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Sep 28 2034 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 28 2035 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Mar 28 2037 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |