U.S. patent application number 11/236472 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for silt and visual fence for erosion control.
This patent application is currently assigned to Black-Orange, LLC.. Invention is credited to Timothy R. Arnold, Sean P. Shea.
Application Number | 20070069191 11/236472 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892754 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070069191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnold; Timothy R. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
Silt and visual fence for erosion control
Abstract
A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker
comprising a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, a
generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein
and spaced along at least a portion of the flat surface, a strip of
fabric, comprising, a lower portion having a first visual indicia
associated therewith, an upper portion having a second visual
indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of the first
portion, the upper and lower portions being connected; and, a
plurality of fasteners for fastening the strip of fabric to the
plurality of stakes. The fence preferably also includes a wire grid
or mesh backing to provide additional strength and support to the
lower portion fabric.
Inventors: |
Arnold; Timothy R.; (Sugar
Hill, GA) ; Shea; Sean P.; (Loganville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POWELL GOLDSTEIN LLP
ONE ATLANTIC CENTER
FOURTEENTH FLOOR 1201 WEST PEACHTREE STREET NW
ATLANTA
GA
30309-3488
US
|
Assignee: |
Black-Orange, LLC.
|
Family ID: |
37892754 |
Appl. No.: |
11/236472 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/12.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 7/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/012.5 |
International
Class: |
E01F 7/02 20060101
E01F007/02 |
Claims
1. A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker,
comprising: a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, i) a
generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein
and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface, b) a
strip of fabric, comprising, i) a lower portion having a first
visual indicia associated therewith, ii) an upper portion having a
second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from the color
of said first portion, iii) said upper and lower portions being
connected; and, c) a plurality of fasteners for fastening said
strip of fabric to said plurality of stakes.
2. The fence of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs
extending from and spaced along said flat surface of said
stake.
3. The fence of claim 1, wherein said stake further comprises a
support portion extending from and generally perpendicular to said
flat surface.
4. The fence of claim 3, wherein said support portion and said flat
surface form a T-shaped stake.
5. The fence of claim 4, wherein said support portion and said flat
surface form an L-shaped stake.
6. The fence of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a shank
portion having a plurality of radially or horizontally projecting
portions extending therefrom and a head portion attached to said
shank portion.
7. The fence of claim 1, wherein the color of said lower portion of
said strip is black.
8. The fence of claim 1, wherein the color of said upper portion of
said strip is orange.
9. The silt fence of claim 1, further comprising a support member
for reinforcing said fabric, said support member being attachable
to said fabric and said stake.
10. The silt fence of claim 1, wherein said support member
comprises a wire mesh or grid.
11. A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker,
comprising: a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, i) a
generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein
and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface, and, b) a
strip of fabric, comprising, i) a lower portion having a first
visual indicia associated therewith, and ii) an upper portion
having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from
the color of said first portion, said upper and lower portions
being connected.
12. A fastener, comprising: a) a head having a front surface and a
back surface, said back surface having a plurality of spaced
protrusions extending outward therefrom; and b) a shank having at
least one second protrusion extending from said shank.
13. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said front surface is
rounded.
14. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said protrusion is
elongated.
15. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said protrusion is arranged
in a series of concentric circles or ellipses.
16. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said protrusion is arranged
in a series of rows.
17. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said head has a shape
selected from the group consisting of circular, rectangular,
rhomboid, elliptical, oval, hemispherical, square, wedge,
irregular, asymmetric and the like.
18. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said at least one second
protrusion comprises a male thread.
19. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said at least one second
protrusion comprises a rib.
20. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said second protrusion is
annular and extends substantially around the circumference of said
shank.
21. The fastener of claim 11, wherein said shank terminates at its
distal end in a pointed tip.
22. A fence for retaining silt and providing a visual marker,
comprising: a) a plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, i) a
generally flat surface having a plurality of holes defined therein
and spaced along at least a portion of said flat surface; b) at
least one strip of fabric, comprising, i) a lower portion having a
first visual indicia associated therewith, ii) an upper portion
having a second visual indicia associated therewith distinct from
the color of said first portion, iii) said upper and lower portions
being connected; c) a support member for reinforcing said fabric,
said support member being attachable to said fabric and said stake;
and, d) a plurality of fasteners for fastening said strip of fabric
to said plurality of stakes or for attaching said support member to
said stake, each said fastener comprising i) a head having a front
surface and a back surface, said back surface having a plurality of
spaced ribs extending outward therefrom, and, ii) a shank having at
least one protrusion extending from said shank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Silt fences prevent sediment carried by sheet flow from
leaving a construction site and entering natural drainage ways or
storm drainage systems by slowing storm water runoff and causing
the deposition of sediment at the structure. Silt fencing
encourages sheet flow and reduces the potential for development of
rills and gullies. Silt fencing should be installed where sheet
flow runoff can be stored behind the barrier without damaging the
barrier or the submerged area behind the barrier. Silt fencing is
generally located at the topographically lowest portions of the
site where silt migrates during rain events.
[0002] Visual fence is placed just inside the clearing boundaries
to define the limits of clearing. This is necessary to prevent the
overclearing of trees, brush, etc., and to visually identify the
clearing limits. Many local ordinances require that the visual
fence have certain minimum visibility requirements.
[0003] Conventional fence systems are installed by first digging a
narrow shallow trench the length that the fence is to be run. The
stakes are set into the ground in the trench at a specific distance
apart. Typically, a wire backing is attached to the stakes using
fasteners. The wire backing lends support and strength to the fence
and, in particular, to the fabric. The wire backing extends from
down in the trench to above the ground level, generally up to at
least a portion of the height of the fence material. The fence
material, typically a synthetic fabric or mesh, is attached to the
stakes using fasteners such that the lower portion of the fabric
overlaps the wire backing. The trench is backfilled to secure the
fence in the ground. In use, the silt fence blocks silt runoff
while permitting water to pass through the fence mesh.
[0004] By the time the construction is completed to the point where
the fence is no longer needed, the fence material has often
degraded or is otherwise unusable in another application. However,
the fence must still be removed by construction crews and either
recycled or dumped in the garbage or landfill.
[0005] Currently, at least one line, and often two lines, of silt
fence are separately installed and used to prevent silt runoff and
a separate line of visual fence is used to provide a visual
indication of tree save or other marked area. Each line must
ordinarily be manually installed by workers. Often, wire ties are
used to attach the fence to the stakes, with each tie taking time
to feed through the fabric, around the stake and twisted off. This
results in significant time being required to install and later
uninstall these fences, increased waste product as the fences are
often unreusable after the first use, and increased cost. It would
be desirable to have a single fence which could provide a silt
barrier yet also serve as a visual fence. It would also be
desirable to have fence system that is easier and take less time to
install, while reducing the quantity of fence required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Generally described, the present invention provides in a
first exemplary embodiment a novel combination of a silt and visual
fence to prevent sedimentation from leaving the limits of
construction and the visual impact of a clearing tree save fence to
define the limits of project clearing. The silt/visual fence
combination reduces the need for two separate material and
installation processes and will allow for one product and one
installation. More particularly, the present invention provides, in
one exemplary embodiment, a silt/visual fence comprising a
plurality of stakes, each stake comprising, a generally flat
surface having a plurality of holes defined therein and spaced
along at least a portion of the flat surface, a strip of fabric,
comprising, a lower portion having a first visual indicia
associated therewith, an upper portion having a second visual
indicia associated therewith distinct from the color of the first
portion, the upper and lower portions being connected; and, a
plurality of fasteners for fastening the strip of fabric to the
plurality of stakes. The fence preferably also includes, where use
so requires, a wire grid or mesh backing to provide additional
strength and support to the lower portion fabric. For certain
applications a wire grid or mesh backing is not required.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of
embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the figures of which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the stake according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a stake with a fastener
inserted through the wire back and fabric.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a fabric fastener according
to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fabric fastener of FIG. 4,
shown in position in the fence.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a wire back fastener
according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of a fastener inserted into a fence
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention provides a silt fence to prevent
sediment from leaving a site with a visual fence to define the
limits of project clearing or a protected tree save area. In one
exemplary embodiment a silt fence 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and
generally comprises a plurality of stakes 12 and a strip of fabric
14.
[0017] The stake 12 is preferably formed of a durable generally
rigid material, such as, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic,
combinations of the foregoing, and the like. In a preferred
embodiment the stake is made of wood or steel. The lower end of the
stake 12 preferably, though not mandatorily, terminates in a
tapered tip for easier insertion into the ground. The stake 12
preferably has a generally flat portion 16 (although a curved
portion, or even a cylindrical shaped stake 12 are contemplated as
being within the scope of the present invention). Preferably,
though not mandatorily, the stake has a reinforcing portion 18,
which can be formed as an L-shaped or T-shaped (as shown in FIG. 1)
part of the stake. The flat portion 16 has a series of space apart
holes 20 along at least a portion of the length of the flat portion
16. Optionally, there are a series of tabs or protrusions 22
extending generally outward from the flat portion 16. In one
exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the flat portion 16 has a
generally vertical line of holes 20 on both left and right sides
and a series of tabs 22 between the sets of holes 20.
[0018] The fabric 14 can be any suitable fluid porous material
which can also retain a substantial portion of sedimentous
material, such as, but not limited to, silt, topsoil, rocks,
branches, leaves, and the like. In one exemplary embodiment the
fabric 14 is made of polypropylene, available commercially from a
number of manufacturers. The fabric 14 is preferably made of a
first horizontal strip 30 and a second horizontal strip 32. The
first and second strips 30, 32 are joined together, such as by
adhesive, fusing or other technique known in the art, with the seam
33 shown in the drawing. Alternatively, the first and second strips
30, 32 can be part of a single strip of fabric 14.
[0019] The first strip 30 is preferably located above the top edge
of the second strip 32. The first strip 30 has a first unique
visual indicia associated therewith and the second strip 32
preferably has a second unique visual indicia associated therewith.
The visual indicia can be any visually distinctive indicator, such
as, but not limited to, color, pattern, words, symbols,
combinations of the foregoing, or the like. In one preferred
embodiment the first strip 30 has an orange color and the second
strip 32 has a black color. Preferably, the fabric itself is made
of the colored material; alternatively, the color can be applied to
the fabric using any suitable technique.
[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, the fence 10 also includes a
wire backing 34 as a support and strength adjunct to the fabric 14.
The wire backing 34 preferably has a curved portion 36 at its lower
end so as to conform to the shape of a trench into which the wire
backing is maintained, as described in greater detail hereinbelow.
The wire backing 34 preferably extends upward from the lower
portion of the stake 12 to at least a portion of the stake 12
aboveground when installed. The wire backing 34 is preferably made
of metal, plastic or other durable strong material. A primary
purpose of the wire backing 34 is to provide additional strength to
the fabric 14 when silt accumulates behind the fabric 14 and to
resist deformation or ripping of the fabric 14.
[0021] The fabric 14 is preferably attached to the stake 12 using a
number of fasteners 38. The fastener 38 has a shank 40 which is
pushed through the fabric 14 and force fit into one of the holes 20
in the stake 12 (see FIG. 3). In one exemplary embodiment the
fastener 38 can be either a fabric fastener 42 or a wire backing
fastener 44. The fabric fastener 42 may have a circular head. The
wire backing fastener 44 may have a rectangular head. The fasteners
42 or 44 preferably have at least one, and more preferably, a
plurality of annular barbs to restrict unintentional removal of the
fastener. It is to be understood that other fasteners 38 can be
used with the present invention, and may include, but are not
limited to, wire or plastic ties or wraps, staples, nails, hook and
loop fasteners, screws, clips, combinations of the foregoing or the
like. A novel fastener is described in detail herein below.
[0022] By spacing the stakes 12 a desired distance apart (usually
mandated by state or local regulation) the fabric 14 can be
stretched between the stakes 12 and secured in place using the
fasteners 38. A portion of the fabric 14 is placed in a trench in
the ground (as discussed above, this is usually mandated by state
or local regulation) and soil placed over that portion to maintain
the fabric 14 in place and to prevent silt and other nonfluid
runoff from passing under the fabric 14.
[0023] An advantage of the present invention is that the two color
fabric 14 eliminates the need for separate silt and visual fences
as are conventionally used; i.e., one black fence and one orange
fence. The elimination of one fence reduces time and cost of
installation and subsequent removal of the fence once construction
has ended. The present invention also reduces landfill impacts or
the need to recycle one fence.
[0024] In another aspect of the present invention, a novel fastener
is provided for use with the fence system 10. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an
exemplary embodiment of a fabric fastener 50 having a head or cap
52 and a shank 54. The fabric fastener 50 is preferably made of
plastic, but can also be made of metal or other material that
preferably can be struck without substantial deformation yet be
resistant to weathering. The surface of the cap 52 can be rounded
or flat. The cap can be circular in circumference or of other
shape. The cap 52 has a plurality of ribs 56 or barbs, teeth, fins
or the like that protrude from preferably the back side (i.e., the
side with the shank extending therefrom) of the cap 52. The ribs 56
are preferably arranged is a series of concentric circles (with
each rib being straight, curved, jagged, or other shape), as shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to be understood that other regular or
irregular arrangements, e.g., grid, spiral, radial, random and the
like, are contemplated as being possible. The ribs 56 can be the
same height, or can be of different heights above the back of the
cap 52. A purpose of the ribs 56 are to increase the gripping
strength of the fabric fastener 50 to the fabric 32 when installed.
When the fabric 32 is installed against the support 12, the shank
54, which preferably has a pointed tip 58 and a series of
protrusions 60 or threads, passes through the fabric 32 and is
retained in one of the holes 20. The ribs 56 are pushed towards
and/or into the fabric 32 and preferably engage the fabric fibers.
This multiple-point engagement helps to retain the fabric 32 in
place and reduce the tendency to rip during extended use. In one
exemplary embodiment it is possible for the ribs 56 to be the
result of piercing the front of the cap 52 and creating a
protrusion of material extending out of the back of the cap 52.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a fastener, namely
a wire backing fastener 70, similar in material construction to the
fabric fastener 50, but preferably having a generally rectangular
shaped cap 72. The surface of the cap 72 can be rounded or flat.
The ribs 74 are preferably arranged horizontally in rows so as to
improve engagement and retention of the wire 34. The wire backing
fastener 70 has a shank 76 similar to the shank 54. FIG. 7 shows a
wire backing fastener 70 installed in a fence system. The shank 76
of the wire backing fastener 70 is inserted through the hole 20 in
the support 12, with at least one row of ribs 74 being below the
wire 34. Preferably, at least one row of ribs 74 is above the wire
34. In this manner the ribs assist in supporting the wire 34 and
maintaining it in position with respect to the support 12.
[0026] It is to be understood that the caps 52 and 72 of the
fasteners 50 and 70, respectively, may be constructed with
different shapes, such as, but not limited to, circular,
rectangular, rhomboid, elliptical, oval, hemispherical, square,
wedge, asymmetric or other regular or irregular shape.
[0027] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims. It should further be
noted that any patents, applications and publications referred to
herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *