Abstract:
A spiral stake includes a handle structure which facilitates transfer of downwardly and torsionally directed forces from a user&#39;s hand to the stake during installation in the ground at a selected location. The spiral stake includes a spiral section, and a straight transition section extending between the handle and the spiral section. A portion of the handle contacting the users palm when downward and torsional force is applied thereto presents a convex curvature of suitable dimension and shape characteristics to distribute resistive forces comfortably to the user&#39;s hand. In a preferred embodiment, an opposed region of the handle contains a series of indentations forming a grip for the corresponding reception of the user&#39;s fingers, resulting in improved ergonomic feel and force-transfer efficiency. The opposed region is advantageously of sufficiently large dimension to accommodate all four fingers of an adult hand opposed to the thumb, to provide maximum comfort and to afford greater mechanical advantage during installation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to stakes designed to be anchored in the ground, and more particularly, to stakes of the type which are screwed into ground structure and which serve as securement means for objects and animals. 
     Spiral stakes are well known in the art, and consist generally of a formed metal structure including a spirally configured metal section terminating at a lower end in a sharpened point to facilitate piercing of the ground in which it is to be anchored, and a modified shape at an upper end thereof serving as a rudimentary handle to permit transfer of hand-applied torsional force to the stake. When turned in an appropriate direction, usually clockwise, the spirally configured section (having a “right-handed” spiral corresponding to clockwise advancement), acts as a bit, drawing the spike downwardly of the surface of the ground. Continued turning of the spike imbeds the spiral section a sufficient depth in the ground to firmly affix same in the selected location. 
     Although such stakes find application in varied fields of use, a significant area of application of such articles is in the pet field, where they are employed for purposes of maintaining a tethered domesticated animal, most commonly a dog, within a restricted range of travel. When adapted to such purpose, generally a rotatable member, referred to hereinafter as a swivel, is captively mounted to a part of the stake extending above ground level, and which facilitates the tethered securement of a lead of desired length thereto, while concomitantly reducing the incidence of tangling associated with movement of the animal around the stake. 
     An example of a spiral stake of typical prior art construction and design is shown in FIG.  5 . The conventional stake depicted therein, generally designated  100 , is formed of a suitably shaped, structurally rigid material. The stake, in the depicted example, is conveniently formed of a metal rod which is bent in a manner creating a handle section  100   a , a spiral section  100   b , and a straight transition section  100   c  extending therebetween. Spiral section  100   b  terminates in a sharpened end  104 , which facilitates penetration of the ground when rotation and downward force is imparted to the stake  100 . Handle section  100   a  is configured to follow the general shape of a triangle, and in such prior art designs, permits reception of only a portion of the fingers of a user&#39;s hand, i.e. two or three of the fingers opposed to the thumb. A swivel  105  is provided in the region of the transition section  100   c , which portion of the stake remains exposed when the spiral stake  100  is firmly anchored in the ground. Swivel  105  includes an attachment portion  105   a  formed by twisting a metal pin, having a head, loosely around the transition section  100   c . The swivel  105  also includes a ring portion  105   b  having a flattened region with a hole formed therein large enough to receive the profile of attachment portion  105   a , but configured smaller than the head portion thereof, thereby captively maintaining the ring portion  105   a  to the attachment portion  105   a . Vertical movement of swivel  105  along transition section  100   c  is restricted by crimped areas  106  formed in the rod material comprising transition section  100   c  above and below swivel  105 , which present flange-like sections preventing movement of attachment portion  105   a  of swivel  105  therepast. 
     Although effective as an anchoring device, such prior art stakes are not easily and comfortably installed in the ground, and such anchoring procedure frequently cannot be successfully implemented, particularly by women, children and the elderly, especially when the ground is dry and firmly packed. In addition, although the swivel is rotatable about the stake, the above-described construction may lead to binding of the swivel and the crimped regions due to play present between the attachment portion thereof and the rod comprising the stake. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a spiral stake which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a spiral stake which provides improved comfort to the user during its installation at a selected location and which facilitates installation at such location. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a spiral stake having a modified structure inhibiting binding of the swivel and the stake to which it is rotatably mounted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided a spiral stake having a specialized handle structure adapted to conform to the contours of a user&#39;s hand. Advantageously, the handle structure is configured to permit grasping thereof by the entirety of the user&#39;s hand, and presents a curved profile over a region brought into contact with the palm of the hand when gripped thereby to permit more comfortable and efficient transfer of downwardly applied force to the spiral stake during its anchoring in the ground. 
     Briefly stated, a spiral stake includes a spiral section, a handle section and a transition section extending therebetween. A portion of the handle contacting the users palm when downward and torsional forces are applied thereto advantageously presents a convex curvature of suitable dimension and shape characteristics to distribute resistive forces comfortably to the users hand. An opposed region of the handle contains a series of indentations forming a grip for the corresponding reception of the user&#39;s fingers, resulting in improved ergonomic feel and force-transfer efficiency. This opposed region is advantageously of sufficiently large dimension to accommodate all four fingers of an adult hand opposed to the thumb, to provide maximum comfort and to afford greater mechanical advantage during installation. 
     The various embodiments as disclosed herein may be conveniently produced by conventional overmolding processes in which a thermoplastic or other polymer is injection molded over a formed support structure, in the present instance, a formed metal spiral body. 
     The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a spiral stake having a modified handle structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation of a spiral stake detailing a handle structure in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation of a spiral stake detailing a handle structure and modified swivel mechanism in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is partial side elevation of the stake of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a conventional spiral stake. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, and in particular FIG. 1, there is depicted, in accordance with the invention, a spiral stake, generally designated  10 . Spiral stake  10  includes a handle section  10   a,  a spiral section  10   b,  and a transition section  10   c  extending therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, spiral stake is structurally comprised of a formed body  11  of suitably configured, rod-like material, advantageously terminating at a sharpened point  14  to facilitate penetration and subsequent downward advancement in the ground, and a handle  12  fixed thereto at a terminal end of the metal body  11 . The rod-like material used to construct the stake is advantageously comprised in whole or in part of a metal having sufficient strength and dimension for the particular application. Other suitable materials can also be used without departure from the invention. General methods of bending or other fabrication techniques conventionally employed in forming the metal body of spiral stakes of known design, such as those currently available on the market, can conveniently be employed in the production of the body  11  of spiral stake  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the spiral stake  10  further incorporates a swivel  15 , provided in the region of the transition section  10   c,  configured in the depicted embodiment in accordance with conventional practice, and which is described generally above with regard to the example of FIG.  5 . The swivel  15  includes an attachment portion  15   a  having a modified structure over that of FIG. 5, to the extent that the attachment portion is provided as a formed unit of ring shape, received on the metal body  11  and oriented in the transition section  10   c  prior to crimping of crimped areas  16  in the rod material comprising transition section  10   c  above and below swivel  15 , which, as explained above herein, present flange-like sections preventing movement of attachment portion  15   a  of swivel  15  therepast. This modified structure is shown only to further illustrate a possible alternative design and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. The swivel  15  also includes a ring portion  15   b  captively held to the attachment portion  15   a  which, although presenting a slightly different shape than that of the prior art example of FIG. 5 (merely to illustrate that employment of various alternative designs is contemplated, as mentioned above), functions analogously thereto. Other suitable designs not specifically disclosed herein are also deemed acceptable. 
     As noted above, the handle  12  is securably maintained at a terminal end of the body  11 , and is kept from turning relative to the body  11  when hand-applied torque is transferred thereto during an anchoring operation or during stake removal from the ground, advantageously by providing the portion of the metal body surrounded by the handle  12  with a suitable structural configuration which presents a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal end of the body  11  conveniently presents an area  13  of generally flattened and widened configuration. The handle  12  is then either molded about the terminal end of the body  11 , for example, by suitable known injection molding practices such that it conformably envelopes the flattened area  13  or, alternatively, the handle  12  is provided as a prefabricated article which is received to the metal body  12  such that an internal structure of the handle  12  engageably accommodates the flattened area  13  in a manner preventing relative rotation therebetween. It is noted, that although depicted as a flattened area  13 , such configuration can be any noncircular cross-sectional shape, for example, polygonal, star shape, oval, etc., without departure from the invention. In addition, any other suitable measures can alternatively be taken to prevent rotation of the handle, and such approaches are contemplated to be within the intended scope of the invention. For example a set screw (not shown) extending inward of the handle  12  and which engages or compressively contacts the body  11  can be used, or a hole provided across the metal body through which material connective with the handle  12  extends (also not shown). Further, when such a hole is provided, and the handle  12  is overmolded about the body, the molten thermoplastic will be made to flow through the hole and, when set, will prevent rotation. 
     The handle  12  includes a first contact surface  12   a  presenting a shape suited to ergonomic reception in a palm of a user when grasping the handle  12 . Advantageously, the handle portion  12  further includes a second contact, surface  12   b  located on a side of the handle  12  opposed to the first contact surface  12   a , shaped to present a series of curved indentations suited to conformable reception of fingers opposed to a thumb of the user. Since the handle  12  in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1 includes portions which freely extend to either side of the body  11 , the handle can be readily grasped by a user&#39;s hand regardless of a size thereof, with two fingers of the hand located on each of the two handle portions extending on either side of the body  11 . When the handle  12  is so held, and the body  11  extends downwardly between the middle and ring fingers of the hand grasping the handle  12 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment directed to a stake  20  is shown, and in which all elements are analogous with those described with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the exception of the configuration of a handle section  20   a.  For this reason, only a handle section  20   a  of the stake  20 , which includes a handle  22 , is illustrated to avoid unnecessary redundancy. In this embodiment, the stake  20  is comprised of a formed body  21  of suitably configured, rod-like material, spiraled at a lower end and advantageously terminating at a sharpened point (not shown) to facilitate penetration and subsequent downward advancement in the ground. A generally triangular configuration is adopted for the portion of the body  21  within the region of the handle section  20   a,  and the handle  22  surrounds at least the leg of such triangle running orthogonal to a penetration axis of the stake  20  (the axis arranged vertically in FIG.  2 ). Although the example depicts a handle section  20   a  of triangular shape which fully encloses the fingers of a user&#39;s hand grasping the handle  20 , other shapes can be employed which do not frilly enclose the fingers, for example, a shape in which the third leg of the triangle is omitted. Alternatively, another shape other than a triangle, i.e., polygonal or otherwise, can be adopted without departure from the intended scope of the invention. As in the previous embodiment, the handle  22  includes a first contact surface  22   a  presenting a shape suited to ergonomic reception in a palm of a user when grasping the handle  22 , and advantageously, also a second contact surface  22   b,  located on a side of the handle  22  opposed to the first contact surface  22   a,  shaped to present a series of curved indentations suited to conformable reception of fingers opposed to a thumb of the user (four fingers in the depicted example). As an additional option, the handle configuration can be further modified over that of the prior art stake depicted in FIG. 5, in a manner which avoids the potential for tangling attendant such conventional design. As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is present between the end of the rod material comprising the triangularly configured handle section  100   a  and the body of the stake. As a result, tieouts or chains attached to the stake often get snagged in this gap, resulting in entangling of the dog or other pet. Therefore, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2, this gap is advantageously eliminated by suitable measures, for example, conveniently by a application of a weld bead  23 , as shown. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment in accordance with the invention is depicted. As in the previously described embodiments, a stake  30  includes a formed body  31  of suitably configured, rod-like material, and which includes a handle section  30   a , a spiral section  30   b  advantageously terminating at a sharpened point (not shown) to facilitate penetration and subsequent downward advancement in the ground, and a transition section  30   c  extending therebetween. The embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that a handle support  31   a  is provided which is of flattened shape, and which is advantageously contiguous with the body  31 . The handle support  31   a  is depicted conveniently as having a generally triangular configuration, although any suitable shape is contemplated. It is advantageously fully enclosing for structural integrity and operating strength. A handle  32  is carried about the handle support  31   a , conveniently formed by suitable thermoplastic overmolding techniques. The flattened configuration of the handle support  31   a  (best seen in FIG. 4) inherently prevents pivoting of the handle  32 , thereby assuring maintenance of the proper positioning of both a first contact surface  32   a  which, in accordance with a significant feature of the invention, presents a shape suited to ergonomic reception in a palm of a user when grasping the handle  12 , and advantageously, a second contact surface  32   b , located on a side of the handle  32  opposed to the first contact surface  32   a , which is shaped to present a series of curved indentations suited to conformable reception of fingers opposed to a thumb of the user. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the stake  30  further includes a structural adaptation for inhibiting binding or tangling between the swivel and the stake to which it is rotatably mounted. A swivel body  36  is provided in the transition region  30   c , advantageously comprised of a thermoplastic material, and which is conveniently overmolded about the body  31 . The swivel body  36  includes a circumferential channel  36   a  extending entirely around the swivel body defined by a pair of radially extended circular flanges  36   b . A swivel  35  (depiction of which is omitted in FIG. 4) is provided which includes a washer-shaped mounting portion  35   a  which is captively retained in the channel  36   a  to permit free rotation about the swivel body  36 , and a ring portion  35   b  for reception of a tether or other restraint. Such structural feature more reliably prevents binding of the swivel  35  and inhibits tangling of the tether. 
     It is noted, that in each of the embodiments described herein, or any embodiment embraced within the scope of the invention as claimed not specifically exemplified herein, an outer region of the handle  12  can be constructed, in whole or in part, to include a cushioned region comprised of padded material which yields to applied pressure, such as, for example, a foam or other suitably resiliently compressible material, to thereby provide increased comfort when hand force is applied to accomplish anchoring or removal of the stake. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.