U.S. patent application number 17/542216 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for stake with ground engagement feature.
The applicant listed for this patent is Todd Lindemann, Richard B. Weinberg. Invention is credited to Todd Lindemann, Richard B. Weinberg.
Application Number | 20220220688 17/542216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220220688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinberg; Richard B. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2022 |
STAKE WITH GROUND ENGAGEMENT FEATURE
Abstract
A ground stake can be easily inserted into the ground and once
inserted, the stake includes ground engagement members that can
extend out of the stake body to engage into the earth. The ground
engagement members, when deployed, can help prevent inadvertent
disengagement of the stake from the ground. When the user desires
to remove the stake, the user can retract the ground engagement
members back into the stake body and easily pull the stake out of
the ground for re-use.
Inventors: |
Weinberg; Richard B.;
(Highland, MI) ; Lindemann; Todd; (Howell,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Weinberg; Richard B.
Lindemann; Todd |
Highland
Howell |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/542216 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63137005 |
Jan 13, 2021 |
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International
Class: |
E02D 5/80 20060101
E02D005/80 |
Claims
1. A ground stake comprising: a main body having a top surface and
a hollow tubular member extending downward from the top surface; a
moveable shaft fitting into the hollow tubular member through a
hole in the top surface of the main body; a connector at a top end
of the movable shaft; at least one ground engagement member
pivotably attached at a bottom end of the movable shaft; and at
least one opening in the hollow tubular member, wherein the at
least one ground engagement member retracts into and extends out of
the at least one opening as the movable shaft is moved between an
insertion configuration, with a majority of the ground engagement
member disposed inside an outer periphery of the hollow tubular
member, and a deployed configuration, with the ground engagement
member extending outward from the at least one opening.
2. The ground stake of claim 1, further comprising a deployment arm
attached to the connector at the top end of the movable shaft.
3. The ground stake of claim 2, further comprising: opposing
channels extending upward from opposite sides of the top surface,
wherein: the connector spans between the opposing channels and is
movable toward and away from the top surface within the opposing
channels; and rotation of the deployment arm raises and lowers the
movable shaft within the hollow tubular member, moving the at least
one ground engagement member between the deployed and the insertion
configurations.
4. The ground stake of claim 3, wherein the deployment arm includes
an arm extension extending from a rotation axis defined by the
connector spanning between the opposing channels.
5. The ground stake of claim 1, further comprising a pointed tip
extending from a distal end of the hollow tubular member.
6. The ground stake of claim 5, wherein the pointed tip threadably
engages with the distal end of the hollow tubular member.
7. The ground stake of claim 1, wherein: the at least one opening
are two openings at opposite sides of the hollow tubular member;
and the at least one ground engagement member is two ground
engagement members extending out of and retracting into respective
ones of the two openings.
8. The ground stake of claim 1, wherein the at least one ground
engagement member has a flattened distal end.
9. The ground stake of claim 1, wherein the ground engagement
member, in the insertion configuration, does not extend beyond a
surface defined by the hollow tubular member.
10. The ground stake of claim 1, further comprising at least one
attachment loop disposed on the top surface of the main body of the
stake.
11. The ground stake of claim 1, wherein the connector is a
loop.
12. The ground stake of claim 11, wherein the at least one opening
is at least one slot.
13. The ground stake of claim 12, wherein each ground engagement
member includes: a first arm having a first arm upper end pivotably
attached to an interior of the hollow tubular member; and a second
arm, having a second arm upper end pivotably connected to a first
arm lower end and a second arm lower end pivotably attached at the
bottom end of the movable shaft.
14. A ground stake comprising: a main body having a top surface and
a hollow tubular member extending downward from the top surface; a
moveable shaft fitting into the hollow tubular member through a
hole in the top surface of the main body; a connector at a top end
of the movable shaft; at least two ground engagement members
pivotably attached at a bottom end of the movable shaft; at least
two openings in the hollow tubular member, wherein the at least two
ground engagement members retract into and extend out of respective
ones of the at least two openings as the movable shaft is moved
between an insertion configuration, with a majority of each ground
engagement member disposed inside the hollow tubular member, and a
deployed configuration, with each ground engagement member
extending outward from respective ones of the at least two
openings; and a deployment arm attached to the connector at the top
end of the movable shaft, the deployment arm rotatable about an
axis to move the movable shaft between the insertion and deployed
configurations.
15. The ground stake of claim 14, further comprising: opposing
channels extending upward from opposite sides of the top surface,
wherein: the connector spans between the opposing channels and is
movable toward and away from the top surface within the opposing
channels; and rotation of the deployment arm raises and lowers the
movable shaft within the hollow tubular member, moving the at least
two ground engagement members between the deployed and the
insertion configurations.
16. The ground stake of claim 14, wherein the deployment arm
includes an arm extension extending from a rotation axis defined by
the connector spanning between the opposing channels.
17. The ground stake of claim 14, wherein the at least two ground
engagement members, in the insertion configuration, do not extend
beyond a surface defined by the hollow tubular member.
18. The ground stake of claim 14, further comprising at least one
attachment loop disposed on the top surface of the main body of the
stake.
19. A method for creating a tie down location in the ground,
comprising: inserting a ground stake, in an insertion
configuration, into the ground, the ground stake comprising: a main
body having a top surface and a hollow tubular member extending
downward from the top surface, a moveable shaft fitting into the
hollow tubular member through a hole in the top surface of the main
body; a connector at a top end of the movable shaft; at least two
ground engagement members pivotably attached at a bottom end of the
movable shaft; and at least two openings in the hollow tubular
member; and moving the connector to move the moveable shaft upward
and to cause the at least two ground engagement members to extend
outward from the at least two openings and engage with the ground,
creating a deployed configuration of the ground stake, wherein in
the insertion configuration, a majority of each ground engagement
member is disposed within an outer periphery of the hollow tubular
member, and in the deployed configuration, each ground engagement
member extends outward from the at least two openings.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: moving the moveable
shaft downward to retract the at least two ground engagement
members into the insertion configuration; and removing the ground
stake from the ground when the tie down location is no longer
needed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to stakes.
More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a stake
that can be easily placed into the ground and can include ground
engagement features to prevent inadvertent release of the stake
from the ground.
2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information
[0002] The following background information may present examples of
specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation,
approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be
helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or
implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0003] Ground stakes can be used to create a loop for tying down
various items. Ground stakes can be used for securing tents, trees,
trailers, storage sheds, or other items that may be affected by
wind or other forces that can cause the items to move from their
desired location. Ideally, ground stakes should be easy to insert,
but more difficult to remove from the ground. To achieve this goal,
for example, stakes may be pounded into the ground at an angle,
facing away from the device to be secured. However, such
positioning can still result in the stake being pulled out or
loosened.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved
ground stake that can be easily inserted into the ground, but
difficult to inadvertently remove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a ground stake
comprises a main body having a top surface and a hollow tubular
member extending downward from the top surface; a moveable shaft
fitting into the hollow tubular member through a hole in the top
surface of the main body; a connector at a top end of the movable
shaft; at least one ground engagement member pivotably attached at
a bottom end of the movable shaft; and at least one opening in the
hollow tubular member, wherein the at least one ground engagement
member retracts into and extends out of the at least one opening as
the movable shaft is moved between an insertion configuration, with
a majority of the ground engagement member disposed inside the
hollow tubular member, and a deployed configuration, with the
ground engagement member extending outward from the at least one
opening.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a
ground stake comprising a main body having a top surface and a
hollow tubular member extending downward from the top surface; a
moveable shaft fitting into the hollow tubular member through a
hole in the top surface of the main body; a connector at a top end
of the movable shaft; at least two ground engagement members
pivotably attached at a bottom end of the movable shaft; at least
two openings in the hollow tubular member, wherein the at least two
ground engagement members retract into and extend out of respective
ones of the at least two openings as the movable shaft is moved
between an insertion configuration, with a majority of each ground
engagement member disposed inside the hollow tubular member, and a
deployed configuration, with each ground engagement member
extending outward from respective ones of the at least two
openings; and a deployment arm attached to the connector at the top
end of the movable shaft, the deployment arm rotatable about an
axis to move the movable shaft between the insertion and deployed
configurations.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method
for creating a tie down location in the ground, comprising
inserting a ground stake, in an insertion configuration, into the
ground, the ground stake comprising a main body having a top
surface and a hollow tubular member extending downward from the top
surface, a moveable shaft fitting into the hollow tubular member
through a hole in the top surface of the main body; a connector at
a top end of the movable shaft; at least two ground engagement
members pivotably attached at a bottom end of the movable shaft;
and at least two openings in the hollow tubular member; and moving
a deployment arm, attached to the connector, to move the moveable
shaft upward and to cause the at least two ground engagement
members to extend outward from the at least two openings and engage
with the ground, creating a deployed configuration of the ground
stake, wherein in the insertion configuration, a majority of each
ground engagement member is disposed inside the hollow tubular
member, and in the deployed configuration, each ground engagement
member extends outward from the at least two openings.
[0008] In some embodiments, the method includes moving the moveable
shaft downward to retract the at least two ground engagement
members into the insertion configuration; and removing the ground
stake from the ground when the tie down location is no longer
needed.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as
an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references may indicate similar
elements.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a ground stake, in
a deployed configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the ground stake of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the ground stake of
FIG. 1, in an insertion configuration;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the ground stake of FIG.
3;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the
deployed ground stake of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded side view of the deployed
ground stake of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the
insertable ground stake of FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded side view of the insertable
ground stake of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates perspective view of a ground engagement
blade of the ground stake of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the ground engagement
blade of FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed view of an engagement between
the ground engagement blade and an attachment loop on a movable
shaft of the ground stake of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a ground stake having two
sets of ground engagement blades, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a top pull tab ground stake in an
insertion configuration, having four folding ground engagement
members, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates the insertion configuration ground stake
of FIG. 13 with the outer cover removed;
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates the ground stake of FIG. 13 in a
deployed configuration;
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates the deployed configuration ground stake
of FIG. 15 with the outer cover removed;
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates the ground stake of FIG. 13 having an
extended ground level plate and a removal pull loop, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates the ground stake of FIG. 15, with the
outer cover removed, including a stake stopper, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0030] The invention and its various embodiments can now be better
understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein
illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly
understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as
examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as
ultimately defined in the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF
INVENTION
[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As
used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0033] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a
number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has
individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with
one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed
techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description
will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the
individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the
specification and claims should be read with the understanding that
such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention
and the claims.
[0034] In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details.
[0035] The present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or
description below.
[0036] As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful
considerations and compromises typically must be made when
designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial
implementation of any device, and in particular, the embodiments of
the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance
with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be
configured according to the needs of the particular application,
whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to
any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably
omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or
optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills
and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
[0037] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a
ground stake that can be easily inserted into the ground and once
inserted, the stake includes ground engagement members that can
extend out of the stake body to engage into the earth. The ground
engagement members, when deployed, can help prevent inadvertent
disengagement of the stake from the ground. When the user desires
to remove the stake, the user can retract the ground engagement
members back into the stake body and easily pull the stake out of
the ground for re-use.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, a ground stake 10 (also
referred to as stake 10) can be moved between a deployed
configuration (FIGS. 1 and 2) and an insertion configuration (FIGS.
3 and 4). In the insertion configuration, ground engagement members
44 can be retained inside a main stake body 22. In the insertion
configuration, the main stake body 22, typically including a
pointed tip 46, can be easily inserted or removed from the ground.
Once the stake 10 is in the ground, the user can actuate a
deployment arm 12, as described in greater detail below, to cause
the ground engagement members 44 to extend from the main stake body
22 and into the ground, typically at an upward (toward the surface
of the ground, or toward a top surface 26 of the main stake body
22) angle to prevent inadvertent removal of the stake 10 from the
ground.
[0039] The main stake body 22 can include the top surface 26 with
one or more attachment loops 28 formed therein for connecting a
rope, cord, or the like. A hole 32 can be formed in the top surface
to access an interior of a hollow tubular member 30 of the main
stake body 22 that extends downward from the top surface 26. The
pointed tip 46 can be attached on a distal end (relative to the top
surface 26) of the tubular member 30. In some embodiments, the
pointed tip 46 can include male threads 48 that can threadably
engage with female threads (not shown) formed at the distal end of
the hollow tubular member 30. Typically, the exterior of the hollow
tubular member 30 can be generally a smooth surface as shown.
However, in some embodiments, exterior undulating protrusions may
be formed on at least a portion of the exterior surface, permitting
the stake 10 to be screwed into the ground for insertion, for
example. The hollow tubular member 30 can have a round
cross-sectional shape, as shown, but other cross-sectional shapes,
such as rectangular, triangular, or the like, may be used without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The hollow
tubular member 30 may have a constant cross-sectional diameter, as
shown, or may be tapered, as shown in the hollow tubular member of
the embodiments of FIGS. 13 through 18, discussed in greater detail
below.
[0040] The hollow tubular member 30 can include a plurality of
ground engagement member openings 34 (also referred to simply as
openings 34) into which the ground engagement members 44 can
retract into (in the insertion configuration) or extend therefrom
(in the deployed configuration). In some embodiments, the openings
34 can include a sloped upper surface 36 to help guide the ground
engagement members 44 out of and away from the hollow tubular
member 30.
[0041] Opposing slotted channels 24 can extend from opposite sides
of the top surface 26 of the main stake body 22. The channels 24
can have a length that is at least as long as the movement required
for translation of the movable shaft 38, as discussed below,
between the deployed configuration and the insertion configuration.
A pin 20 can be positioned to span between the channels 24. The pin
20 may travel in the channels 24 between a lower position proximate
the top surface 26 (the insertion configuration) and an upper
position distal the top surface 26 (the deployed
configuration).
[0042] The deployment arm 12 can include holes 16 for receiving
ends of the pin 20. Thus, movement of the deployment arm 12 (via
rotation of the arm extension 14) can move the pin 20 between the
lower and upper positions within the channels. The deployment arm
18 can further include a slot 18 formed therein to improve access
to the attachment loop 28 when the stake 10 is in the deployed
configuration (see FIG. 1).
[0043] The pin 20 can extend through a pin hole 40 formed in an
upper end of a moveable shaft 38. A lower end 42 of the movable
shaft can have the ground engagement members 44 attached thereto.
The movable shaft 38 can have the upper end extending out of the
hole 32 in the top surface 26 of the main stake body 22. The lower
end 42 of the movable shaft 38 is positioned in the hollow tubular
member 30, with the attachment loop 56 (discussed in greater detail
below) positioned at or near the openings 34 in the hollow tubular
member 30 (in the deployed configuration) or below the openings 34
in the hollow tubular member 30 (in the insertion configuration).
The movable shaft 38 can be moved between the insertion
configuration and the deployed configuration via movement of the
arm extension 14 of the deployment arm 12, causing the pin 20 to
move along the channels 24, thus raising or lowering the movable
shaft 38.
[0044] In the insertion configuration, the ground engagement
members 44 can be positioned inside the openings 34 in the hollow
tubular member 30. Typically, distal ends of the ground engagement
members 44 (distal relative to their attachment slot 54) can rest
against the sloped surface 36 of the openings 34, thus urging the
ground engagement members 44 out of the openings 34 as the stake is
moved into its deployed configuration.
[0045] Referring also to FIGS. 9 through 11, the ground engagement
member 44 may be formed as a flat, elongated member that can
include a sharpened tip 52 to help ground penetration when
deploying the stake in the ground. The ground attachment members 44
may pivotably attachment to the distal end of the moveable shaft
38. Various attachment mechanisms may be used to provide this
pivotable attachment. For example, an attachment slot 54 can be
formed in an attachment end of the ground engagement member 44. The
attachment slot 54 can be removably attached into an attachment
loop 50 formed at the distal end of the moveable shaft 38.
[0046] While two ground engagement members 44 are shown extending
from openings 32 on opposite sides of the hollow tubular member, it
should be understood that any number of ground engagement members
44 may be used, depending on their size and the desired
application. For example, three or four ground engagement members
44 may extend from the stake in the deployed configuration. The
embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 through 18 illustrate four ground
engagement members, as discussed in greater detail below.
[0047] Further, two or more ground engagement members may be
disposed within a single opening 32 so that two or more ground
engagement members may be released outward from a single opening
32. In this embodiment, the ground engagement members may have a
resilient curvature that can cause the ground engagement members to
move away from each other as they are deployed.
[0048] Further, it should be noted that, as illustrated, the
openings 32 are positioned at a single height from the pointed tip
46. However, the openings 32 may have an offset height. In some
embodiments, a long hollow tubular member may be used with the
ground engagement members 44 extending from more than one height
from the pointed tip 46. As shown in FIG. 12, a first set 44A of
ground engagement members 44 may extend from an upper height from
openings 32 and a second set 44B of ground engagement members 44
may extend from a lower height from the openings 32. Such a
configuration may be useful in soft ground or where additional
holding strength is desired.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 16, a stake 60 can include
a hollow tubular member 62 (also referred to as outer cover 62)
having two or more slotted openings 64 disposed along a length
thereof. Typically, the slotted openings 64 are disposed on
different sides of the hollow tubular member 62 at the same height
therealong. For example, four slotted openings 64 are shown
disposed along the outer cover 62 at 90 degree intervals about the
conical tubular member 62, as shown in the figures. While a conical
hollow tubular member 62 is shown, this element may have a constant
cross-section, similar to the hollow tubular member 30, described
above. A pointed tip 68 can be formed at the bottom of the hollow
tubular member 62 to aid in insertion of the stake 60 into the
ground.
[0050] A movable member 70 can extend from an opening in the top of
the hollow tubular member 62 and move between an insertion
configuration (FIG. 13) and a deployed configuration (FIG. 15),
where, in the deployed configuration, the movable member 70 extends
out from the opening in the top of the hollow tubular member 62 a
distance farther than when in the insertion configuration.
[0051] A loop 72 can be formed on the top of the movable member 70.
The loop 72 can be used to move the movable member 70 upward into
the deployed configuration. Once in the deployed configuration, the
loop 72 can be used as a tie down loop for a rope or the like.
[0052] A ground engagement member 74 can be attached to the bottom
end of the movable member 70. The ground engagement member 74 can
be formed from a first arm 74A having its top end 86 attached to
the hollow tubular member 62 so as to pivot about an axis 82. A
second arm 74B can have its bottom end 84 attached to the bottom
end 88 of the movable member 70. The top end of the second arm 74B
and the bottom end of the first arm 74A can connect at a pivoting
joint 80.
[0053] In use, the stake 60 can be inserted into the ground and the
movable member 70 can be moved upward, changing the stake from
being in the insertion configuration to the stake being in the
deployed configuration, with the ground engagement members 74
moving into the earth outward from the hollow tubular member 62. As
the movable member 70 is moved upward, the top end 86 of the first
arm 74A is vertically fixed (via its pivoting attachment axis 82
onto the hollow tubular member 62), with the pivoting joint 80
(connecting the arms 74A and 74B) moving outward (as the angle
formed from the pivoting joint 80 changes from about 130 to 180
degrees (in the insertion configuration) to about 20 to 60 degrees
(in the deployed configuration).
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 17, the top of the hollow tubular
member 62 may include an extended plate 78 that may be placed flat
against the ground after insertion of the stake 60. The user may
use the extended plate 78, for example, to secure the stake in
place while the movable member 70 is raised to engage the ground
engagement members 74. A user, for example, can step on the
extended plate 78 to prevent removal of the stake while raising the
movable member 70.
[0055] A loop 76 may be formed on the extended plate 78. The loop
76 may be used as a tie down or as a pull tab for removing the
stake after use thereof and after moving the movable member 70 back
to the insertion configuration (with the ground engagement members
74 moving back within a periphery defined by the outer surface of
the hollow tubular member 62), permitting removal without having to
pull on the movable member 70 (and possibly re-deploying the ground
engagement members 74).
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 18, in some embodiments, a stopper 90
may be formed on the movable member 70. The stopper 90 can be
configured to rest against a top inner surface of the hollow
tubular member 62 when the movable member 70 is in the deployed
configuration. The stopper 90, when the stake is in the deployed
configuration, can also act to keep dirt or debris from entering a
space between the opening in the top of the hollow tubular member
62 and the movable member 70 when the stake is deployed, thus
preventing such dirt from causing difficulties in moving the stake
back to the insertion configuration when the user desires to remove
the stake from the ground after use.
[0057] In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 18, the bottom of the
ground engagement members 74 are attached to the movable member 70,
while the top of the ground engagement members 74 are attached to
the inside of the hollow tubular member 62. The opposite connection
can also be used. For example, in some embodiments, the top of the
ground engagement members 74 can be attached to the movable member
70, while the bottom of the ground engagement members 74 are fixed
to the inside of the hollow tubular member 62. In this embodiment,
the ground engagement members 74 can extend to the deployed
position by pushing the movable member 70 down after the entire
assembly has been inserted into the ground (instead of pulling it
up, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 18). This would
require the loop to be on the hollow tubular member 62 to secure a
rope or the like, but this embodiment can enable the expansion to
be lower in the ground, and would not requiring holding the unit
down while pulling up on the movable member 70 to deploy. To insert
into the ground, the movable member 70 would be extended up first
(to have the ground engagement members 74 in the insertion
configuration), and the outer plate of the hollow tubular member 62
would be used to insert the unit into the ground.
[0058] All the features disclosed in this specification, including
any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0059] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered
and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding.
Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and
should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or
steps in the claims.
[0060] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that
the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the
purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting
the invention as defined by the following claims. For example,
notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth
below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood
that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or
different ones of the disclosed elements.
[0061] The words used in this specification to describe the
invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only
in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by
special definition in this specification the generic structure,
material or acts of which they represent a single species.
[0062] The definitions of the words or elements of the following
claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only
include the combination of elements which are literally set forth.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements in the claims below or that a single element may be
substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements
may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even
initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that
one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases
be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination
may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a
subcombination.
[0063] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or
later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently
within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
[0064] The claims are thus to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what
incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
* * * * *