U.S. patent application number 10/143924 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for silt fence system and method of use.
Invention is credited to Brown, Chris.
Application Number | 20020172564 10/143924 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27495596 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020172564 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown, Chris |
November 21, 2002 |
Silt fence system and method of use
Abstract
A silt fence system employs silt fencing that is supported along
the fence length with stakes. The stakes have a polymer or plastic
outer casing, and either a flexible core or a core segment of rigid
material such as cement. The outer casing provides resistance to
the elements and the flexible material provides the give to handle
hydraulic forces with breaking of the stake, as is the case when
wooden stakes are used. The system employs the rigid core stakes in
situations where hydraulic forces are large enough that the
combination of the plastic outer casing and flexible core is
insufficient to maintain stake position.
Inventors: |
Brown, Chris; (Spring Hill,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK & BRODY
Suite 600
1750 K Street
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
27495596 |
Appl. No.: |
10/143924 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60330934 |
Nov 2, 2001 |
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60294573 |
Jun 1, 2001 |
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60290650 |
May 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/302.6 ;
256/12.5; 405/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 7/025 20130101;
E02B 3/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/302.6 ;
405/116; 256/12.5 |
International
Class: |
E01F 007/02; E02B
007/02; E02D 017/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a silt fence system comprising a fabric material and a
plurality of stakes, wherein the fabric material is secured to the
stakes to define an erosion control barrier at a construction site,
the improvement comprising each stake having a core of a flexible
material and an outer casing of a plastic or polymeric
material.
2. A method of installing a silt fence at a construction site
comprising: a) providing a silt fence fabric material, and a
plurality of fence stakes, each fence stake further comprising a
core of a flexible material and an outer casing of a plastic or
polymeric material; b) inserting at least a portion of each stake
into the ground, the stakes in spaced apart intervals defining an
erosion barrier line; and c) attaching the silt fence fabric
material to the stakes.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for attaching
the fence to the stakes, said means including (1) fasteners sized
to fit within openings in the stakes, (2) staples, and (3) snaps
molded to the stakes to fit within openings in the stakes.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the stakes are square in cross
section.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fence has a reinforcing band
running along its length.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fence includes a flap at a
bottom edge thereof, the flap adapted to rest on a ground
surface.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the flap has a plurality of
openings to attach the flap to the ground surface using stakes,
pins or other fasteners.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the stake outer casing is molded
or extruded onto the flexible core.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a rubber
material.
10. In a silt fence system comprising a fabric material and a
plurality of stakes, wherein the fabric material is secured to the
stakes to define an erosion control barrier at a construction site,
the improvement comprising each stake having a core segment of at
least a cement or cement-like material and an outer casing of a
plastic or polymeric material.
11. A method of installing a silt fence at a construction site
comprising: a) providing a silt fence fabric material, and a
plurality of fence stakes, each fence stake further comprising a
core segment of at least a cement or cement-like material and an
outer casing of a plastic or polymeric material; b) inserting at
least a portion of each stake into the ground, the stakes in spaced
apart intervals defining an erosion barrier line; and c) attaching
the silt fence fabric material to the stakes.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the polymeric material is PVC
piping.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymeric material is PVC
piping.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymeric material is PVC
piping.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the core includes a granular
material, preferably the granular material being disposed between
portions of the cement or the cement-like material.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the core includes a granular
material, preferably the granular material being disposed between
portions of the cement or the cement-like material.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional patent
applications 60/330,934 filed on Nov. 2, 2001, No. 60/294,573 filed
on Jun. 1, 2001, and No. 60/290,650 filed on May 15, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a silt fence system,
and in particular, to a system that employs flexible yet
long-lasting fence stakes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In the prior art, it is mandatory in most jurisdictions to
use erosion control measures at construction sites. In many
instances, hay bales, filters over drain openings, or the like are
used to control erosion. Another popular technique is the erection
of silt fences around a perimeter of a particular site. These
fences include a fabric material that is water permeable, but
resistant to the passage of fine dirt or soils, sediment, and the
like. The principal use of these types of fences is to control the
erosion of the land under construction, and prevent soil from
entering the public drainage system.
[0004] One significant problem with silt fences is the inability of
these structures to handle excessive forces created by the
combination of soil and water accumulating at the fence line. The
fence material is usually stapled to wooden stakes that are pounded
in the ground. In many instances, the wooden stakes are not strong
enough or are too rigid to withstand the large hydraulic forces
created by the soil and/or water. Thus, the stakes often times
break, thus compromising the integrity of the silt fencing.
[0005] Another problem with these prior art fence systems is a lack
of longevity for the wooden stakes. In many fence installations,
the stakes rot due to the moist conditions well before the
construction job is completed. This is particularly burdensome in
construction sites that may be in existence for more than one or
two years. With the degradation of the wooden stakes, the silt
fence system must be continually repaired, and such repair
increases the cost of the construction both in terms of manpower
costs to repair the fence, material costs for the stakes
themselves, and lost time towards completing the construction. In
addition, builders can be subjected to fines or other penalties
from the localities for local erosion control ordinance violations,
and these types of penalties can be particularly onerous to the
builder.
[0006] As such, a need has developed to provide improved silt
fencing for erosion control. In response to this need, the present
invention provides a silt fence system that employs flexible fence
stakes that are capable of withstanding heavy loads without
breaking. In addition, the fence stakes have increased service
lives so that replacement of the stakes is minimal during the
construction period.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is a first object of the present invention to provide an
improved silt fence system.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a silt fence
system that employs stakes that have a rubber or rubber material
core for flexibility, and an outer casing or coating of a plastic
or polymeric material for both rigidity or strength and
longevity.
[0009] Still another object of the invention is a method of
installing the improved silt fence system in place of systems
employing wooden stakes.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent as a description thereof proceeds.
[0011] The invention is an improvement in silt fence systems that
employ a fabric material and a plurality of stakes, wherein the
fabric material is secured to the stakes to define an erosion
control barrier at a construction site. The improvement comprises
in one embodiment that each stake have a core of a flexible
material and an outer casing of a plastic or polymeric
material.
[0012] The invention also entails a method of installing a silt
fence at a construction site by providing a silt fence fabric
material, and a plurality of fence stakes, wherein each fence stake
further comprising a core of a flexible material and an outer
casing of a plastic or polymeric material. At least a portion of
each stake is inserted into the ground, and the stakes are in
spaced apart intervals defining an erosion barrier line; the silt
fence fabric material to attached to the stakes.
[0013] The system and method can include means for attaching the
fence to the stakes, said means including (1) fasteners sized to
fit within openings in the stakes, (2) staples, and (3) snaps
molded to the stakes to fit within openings in the stakes.
[0014] The stakes can be square in cross section and the fence can
have a reinforcing band running along its length. The fence can
have a flap at a bottom edge thereof, with the flap adapted to rest
on a ground surface. The flap can have a plurality of openings to
attach the flap to the ground surface using stakes, pins or other
fasteners. The stake outer casing can be molded or extruded onto
the flexible core and the flexible material can be a rubber
material. The polymeric material can be PVC piping.
[0015] In another embodiment, each stake has a core segment of at
least a cement or cement-like material and an outer casing of a
plastic or polymeric material. The method for installing this stake
parallels the method described above for the stake with a flexible
core. The core can include a granular material, and more
preferably, a granular material that is disposed between segments
of the cement or the cement-like material. The invention also
relates to the stakes of the silt fence system as well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Reference is now made to the drawings of the invention
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a stake of
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative stake
configuration; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the silt
fence system of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one mode of attachment of the
fence to the stake of FIG. 4;
[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views of alternative modes of
attachments; and
[0023] FIGS. 8-12 show various views of another embodiment of the
inventive stake.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The present invention offers significant advantages in the
field of erosion control, particularly erosion control through the
use of silt fences. The invention involves a silt fence system
wherein the fence stakes have a flexible core made from a rubber or
rubber-like material, and an outer casing or core made from a
plastic or polymeric material. The flexible core allows the stakes
to flex when subjected to heavy loads from soil and water against
the fence fabric material. The plastic outer core provides strength
to support the loads, and longevity in resisting the affects of the
elements, e.g., humidity, sunlight, abrasion, etc., over time.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, one embodiment of the silt fence
system of the invention is designated by reference numeral 10 (FIG.
4), and includes a silt fence 1, and a pair of fence stakes 3.
While only a pair of stakes 3 are shown, it should be understood
that the system could involve a number of stakes.
[0026] In FIG. 1, each stake 3 is depicted with a square cross
section, but as explained below, other surface configurations can
be employed. The stake 3 has a striking end 5 and a pointed
opposite end 7. The stake 3 also includes an inner core 9 and an
outer casing or layer 11 (FIG. 2). The core 9 is made of a flexible
material such as a rubber material or the like. The outer casing is
shown with openings 12 to facilitate attachment of the silt fence
as discussed below. As also explained below, other types of
attachments can be utilized.
[0027] The dimensions of the stake, either in terms of a side
dimension, or a diameter, can vary depending on the intended
application. For example, in areas where high loads are
anticipated, e.g., at the bottom of a slope or the like, the stakes
can have a heavier duty construction such that the dimensions would
be larger. In lighter duty applications, the dimensions can be
smaller since the forces from soil/water would be less. The casing
thickness could vary as well depending on the particular
application. A thicker casing could be used where more strength is
needed, and a thinner casing could be employed in applications
where less forces may be present. Similarly, the dimension of the
core could change depending on the application, a larger core could
be employed where more flexibility is needed.
[0028] A preferred dimensional range for a square stake would be
between about one-half inch square to 2.5 inches square, with a
more preferred size of about 2 inches square. The casing dimensions
could vary using thin dimensions, e.g., up to {fraction (1/4)}
inch, to up to an inch or more in thicker uses.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows an alternative stake construction wherein the
core 9' is circular with an annular outer casing 11'.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the system 10 with a portion of a silt fence
13. The fence 13 has a flap 15, preferably about 6 inches in width,
designed to rest on the ground surface 17 when installed on the
stakes 3. The flap 15 can have openings 19, e.g., grommets or the
like, to allow the flap to be pinned or staked to the ground with
pins 21 for additional resistance against loads applied to the
fence and stakes. Of course, openings other than grommets can be
employed to assist in keeping the flap down. Further yet, the flap
15 could be made without openings if desired.
[0031] The silt fence 13 can also have a band 23 of reinforcement
running along its length, such as nylon or the like. The band can
be sewn onto the fence fabric to provide the reinforcement, or be
made an integral part thereof. Preferably as shown in FIG. 4, the
band is at or near the bottom of the fence to provide maximum
resistance against forces from soil and/or water.
[0032] The silt fence material itself is well known in the art of
erosion control, and a further explanation is not necessary for
understanding of the invention. Examples of silt fences are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,224, herein incorporated by
reference.
[0033] The core of the stake can be any number of flexible
materials such as rubber or rubber-like material. Similarly, the
outer casing can be any number of plastic or polymeric materials,
such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or the
like. A preferred material for the core is an EDPM rubber material
for flexibility, with the outer core/casing being made of polyvinyl
chloride for both strength and resistance to the environment.
[0034] The stakes can vary in height, e.g., 1 to 5 feet, and also
vary in cross sectional shape or configuration. For example,
besides the stakes depicted with square cross sections, stakes
could employ oval, circular, octagonal, or just about any polygonal
shape. Further, the outer surface of the outer casing could have
one configuration with the cross sectional shape of the inner core
having another shape. For example, the outer surface could be
square in cross section with the inner core being circular in cross
section.
[0035] In one mode, the outer casing can be formed on the inner
core, e.g., by extrusion, by dipping, by spraying, by molding, by
extrusion, or the like. In another mode, the outer casing could be
a pre-formed article, e.g., a sleeve that is snugly fit over the
inner flexible core. Preferably, the casing is molded to the
core.
[0036] The method of use entails first inserting each stake into
the ground in spaced apart intervals. Insertion can be done using a
hammer or the like and directing the pointed edge of the stake
towards the ground. The silt fence is then attached to the stakes,
with the flap folded toward the side intended to catch the soil.
The flap can then be secured to the ground surface using the pins
21.
[0037] To attach the fence to the stakes in one mode, as shown in
FIG. 5, a tack 31 could be employed to fit within a complementary
sized opening 33 in the outer casing 11. Tacks 31 would be pressed
through the fence material 13 and into the openings 33 to secure
the fence in place. Alternatively, the fence material 13 could be
stapled using staples 35 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein plastic snaps 37 could be
molded into the outer casing 11 and used to secure the fence 13. In
this mode, the stakes would be end stakes to allow for attachment
of the end edge 39 of the fence 13 to the stake, as opposed to
stakes used in the middle of the fence as shown in FIG. 4. It
should be understood that the mode of attachment can vary from that
disclosed and other attachments can be utilized to secure the fence
to the stakes, e.g., other type fasteners or snaps and the like.
Another example would be an elongated member having a number of
protrusions, each protrusion aligned to fit within the spaced apart
openings 12 in the stake, see FIG. 4.
[0039] Although not shown, the stake end 5 could have a reinforced
layer to better withstand the impact from driving the stake into
the ground. Examples of reinforced layers include a
fiber-reinforced plastic to resist impact, a plastic which is more
flexible or forgiving than the outer casing 11 to better absorb
impact, or even a flexible material such as the core material or
like materials.
[0040] While the stake is preferably used as a support for silt
fence systems, it can be used in other applications such as
supporting landscape items such as trees, bushes and the like, or
other items or articles such as signs, or the like. The stakes
could also be used with twine, rope, etc., to surround areas to
limit access thereto.
[0041] Another aspect of the invention involves a stake that is
made of polymer piping and a core of a rigid material such as a
cement. Referring to FIG. 8, the piping is designated by reference
numeral 41, and it is preferably PVC piping. The piping has an
inside passageway 43. Referring to FIG. 9, the passageway is filled
with a cement 45, preferably a quick-setting cement, thus forming
the stake 40. Since the cement is exothermic, the setting action
helps form a bond between the inner wall of the PVC piping and the
cement.
[0042] The cement can occupy the entire passageway length, or a
portion thereof. In a preferred mode as shown in FIG. 10, sand 47
can be situated between two segments of cement 45. In this way, the
piping flexibility is enhanced over its length, and its overall
weight is reduced. In yet another mode as shown in FIG. 11, the
cement 45 could occupy a lower portion of the piping with the sand
47 occupying an upper portion. The one end of the piping with the
sand 47 could have a cap 49 to contain the sand 47 occupying the
one end of the piping 41.
[0043] In yet another mode as shown in FIG. 12, one end 51 of the
piping 41' can be tapered to facilitate driving the piping into the
ground.
[0044] It should be understood that the embodiments of FIGS. 8-12
could be substituted for the other stakes with the silt fencing,
methods of attachment, and methods of use as described above for
FIGS. 1-7.
[0045] In summary, silt fence stake system embodiment comprises a
plurality of silt fence stakes and a length of slit fence, the
stakes attached to the length of silt fence at intervals to create
a silt barrier. Each stake further comprises a length of polymer
piping, preferably PVC piping, wherein at least a portion of an
inner passageway of the piping has a rigid material such as a
cement therein. Preferably, the rigid material is inserted into the
passageway, and then the stake is installed with the fence. The
inner passageway can be filled entirely with the cement or a
mixture of cement and another material that provides flexibility
such as a sand or the like.
[0046] The piping can be attached to the silt fence and can be
driven into the ground in any conventional manner. While PVC and
quick-setting cement are exemplified, other polymers could be used
for the piping, and other materials could be used as the rigid
material insert other than cements, e.g. other setting compositions
that would add rigidity to the piping. The polymer piping affords
protection against the elements with the cement providing rigidity
against hydraulic forces.
[0047] A preferred way of attachment of the silt fence to the
stakes is through the use of hook and loop fasteners.
[0048] As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of
preferred embodiments thereof which fulfills each and every one of
the objects of the present invention as set forth above and
provides new and improved silt fence system and method of use.
[0049] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations
from the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by
those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit
and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention only
be limited by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *