STABILITY ATTACHMENT FOR A SURVEYING STICK SYSTEM

The disclosure is directed to a surveying stick system The surveying stick system includes a surveying stick base and a stability attachment attached to the surveying stick. The stability attachment includes a body and a spike slidably extending from a bottom side of the body. When the spike is in a retracted position, the spike does not extend below a bottom of the surveying stick base. The spike slidably shifts into an extended position. When the spike is in the extended position, the spike extends below the bottom of the surveying stick.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to stability devices. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a stability attachment to be used with a surveying stick base.

BACKGROUND

Surveyors often carry a large amount of equipment when capturing measurements. In addition to the surveying stick base and the theodolite attached to a top of the surveying stick base, the surveyor must additionally carry a container of surveying flags and a bipedal attachment to attempt to stabilize the surveying stick base. In addition to being cumbersome, the bipedal attachment is generally difficult to position with the surveying stick base, and the stability of the overall system is questionable. While the system may be stable when left completely untouched, bumps, wind, and shifting of the system when taking the measurements can lead to instability of the overall system.

SUMMARY

In general, the disclosure is directed to a stability attachment for a surveying stick. The attachment includes a slidable, retractable spike that can be inserted into the ground. The attachment attaches to the surveying stick at a bottom portion of the stick such that the spike, when retracted does not fall below the bottom of the base of the surveying stick, and also such that, when extended, the spike extends below the bottom of the base of the surveying stick. This enables the spike to be inserted into the ground, providing added stability to the surveying stick base while in use without encumbering the user with additional, separate parts that must be carried around.

To further assist the user, the attachment may be hollowed out such that a top compartment is available to place one or more surveying flags. By carrying the surveying flags, the surveying stick system itself would be heavier, providing added stability, while also further unencumbering the user by allowing the user to transport the surveying stick without additionally, and separately, having to carry a container of surveying flags. Overall, the system may reduce a number of separate parts that must be carried by a user from at least three separate parts to a single part, while also improving the stability technology of the surveying stick system.

In one example, the disclosure is directed to a surveying stick system that includes a surveying stick base and a stability attachment attached to the surveying stick. The stability attachment includes a body and a spike slidably extending from a bottom side of the body. When the spike is in a retracted position, the spike does not extend below a bottom of the surveying stick base. The spike slidably shifts into an extended position. When the spike is in the extended position, the spike extends below the bottom of the surveying stick.

In another example, the disclosure is directed to a stability attachment for a surveying stick system, the stability attachment including a body and a spike slidably extending from a bottom side of the body. The spike slidably shifts from a retracted position to an extended position.

In another example, the disclosure is directed to a method of capturing surveying measurements, the method including attaching a stability attachment to a surveying stick base, wherein the stability attachment comprises a body and a spike slidably extending from a bottom side of the body. The method further includes placing the surveying stick base at a location to be surveyed. The method also includes sliding the spike from a retracted position to an extended position, the extended position placing the spike into a ground surface at the location to be surveyed to provide stabilization to the surveying stick base. The method further includes capturing, using a theodolite attached to the surveying stick base, the surveying measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the techniques or systems described herein in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing examples of the techniques or systems described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives.

FIG.1is a conceptual diagram illustrating a perspective view of surveying stick system2with a surveying stick base4and stability attachment10, in accordance with the descriptions and devices described herein. Surveying stick base4may be any surveying stick or surveying rod that can be used with various surveying tools. Surveying stick base4may be any typical material, including fiberglass, aluminum, plastic, or other lightweight yet sturdy material. Surveying stick base4may also include device hookup8, where a user may install various surveying devices, such as theodolite device, onto a top of surveying stick base4. Surveying stick base4may also include foot6, which may be placed on the ground at a location where the user wishes to gather surveying measurements or data. While stability attachment10may provide added stability to surveying stick system2, stability attachment10may also be used with bipedal attachments that turn surveying stick system2into a tripod type system in instances where stability is especially important.

In accordance with the devices and techniques described herein, surveying stick system2may also include stability attachment10, which attaches to surveying stick base4using attachment mechanisms20A and20B. Stability attachment10is only an example of stability attachment10, and other examples of stability attachment10that include additional pieces or fewer pieces are also contemplated herein. For instance, an example stability attachment10may not include pedal16, or may not include compartment22to hold surveying flags24. In other examples stability attachment10may further include a compression spring, a locking mechanism to keep spike14in either a retracted position or an extended position, or an additional compartment to carry additional surveying equipment.

Stability attachment10, in the example ofFIG.1, includes body12. Body12may be made from a similar material as surveying stick base4, such as plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, or other material suitable for the purpose of providing a stability attachment to surveying stick base4.

Stability attachment10further includes spike14slidably extending from a bottom side of body12. Spike14may be made of any material capable of piercing a ground surface and staying put in the ground surface, such as a metal or a hard plastic. When spike14is in a retracted position, as shown inFIG.1, spike14does not extend below foot6of surveying stick base4. Spike14may slidably shift into an extended position, sliding out of the bottom of body12while body12remains stationary. When spike14is in the extended position, spike14may extend below the bottom of surveying stick base4. This enables spike14to be inserted into the ground, providing added stability to surveying stick base4while in use without encumbering the user with additional, separate parts that must be carried around.

In some instances, stability attachment10further includes compartment22. Compartment22may be accessible through a top portion of body12of stability attachment10. In the example ofFIG.1, compartment22may be shaped and sized such that compartment22may receive one or more surveying flags24.

By carrying the surveying flags, surveying stick system2itself would be heavier, providing added stability, while also further unencumbering the user by allowing the user to transport surveying stick system2without additionally, and separately, having to carry a container of surveying flags24. Overall, surveying stick system2may reduce a number of separate parts that must be carried by a user from at least three separate parts to a single part, while also improving the stability technology of surveying stick system2with the inclusion of stability attachment10.

In some instances, stability attachment10further includes one or more attachment mechanisms20A and20B to removably attach stability attachment10to surveying stick base4. As shown inFIG.1, attachment mechanisms20A and20B may be hose clamp systems. In other examples, attachment mechanisms20A and20B may be one or more of a buckle and strap system, a clip and strap system, a hook-and-loop strap system, a hinged compression mechanism, a mast clamp system, and a molded clip system.

In some instances, stability attachment10may further include spring18that applies force to spike14. In the example ofFIG.1, spring18is an extension spring. In this example, extension spring18is in a resting position when spike14is in a retracted position. Extension spring18extends as the spike slidably shifts into the extended position, thereby applying pressure to spike14. Extension spring18, when extended, generates a first force that is less than a force needed to retract spike14from a ground surface penetrated by spike14. In this way, when spike14is inserted into the ground, extension spring18does not apply enough force to remove spike14from the ground, enabling spike14to stay in place and stabilize surveying stick system2. Furthermore, the first force is greater than a force needed to slidably shift spike14from the extended position into the retracted position when spike14is removed from the ground surface. In other words, extension spring18is specifically selected and calibrated, based on the specific materials used, such that the force exerted by extension spring18when in the extended position is enough to bring spike14back into the retracted position above the bottom of foot6when spike14is not inserted into the ground, but not enough force to remove spike14from a ground surface when spike14is in the extended position and inserted into the ground surface. In this way, spike14may stay retracted during transport, increasing the safety and reliability of surveying stick system2, while maintaining the integrity of spike14while spike14is inserted into a ground surface.

In other instance, spring18may be a compression spring. In such instances, the compression spring is in a resting position when the spike is in a retracted position. The compression spring may compress as spike14slidably shifts into the extended position, thereby applying force to spike14. The compression spring, when compressed, generates a first force that is less than a force needed to retract spike14from a ground surface penetrated by spike14. In this way, when spike14is inserted into the ground, the compression spring does not apply enough force to remove spike14from the ground, enabling spike14to stay in place and stabilize surveying stick system2. Furthermore, the first force is greater than a force needed to slidably shift spike14from the extended position into the retracted position when spike14is removed from the ground surface. In other words, the compression spring is specifically selected and calibrated, based on the specific materials used, such that the force exerted by the compression spring, when spike14is in the extended position, is enough to bring spike14back into the retracted position above the bottom of foot6when spike14is not inserted into the ground, but not enough force to remove spike14from a ground surface when spike14is in the extended position and inserted into the ground surface. In this way, spike14may stay retracted during transport, increasing the safety and reliability of surveying stick system2, while maintaining the integrity of spike14while spike14is inserted into a ground surface.

In addition to or in place of spring18, surveying stick system2may include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be configured to lock spike14in either an extended position or a retracted position. In these examples, when spring18is still included with the locking mechanism, spring18, be it a compression spring or an extension spring, may generate enough force to remove spike14from a ground surface when spike14is in the extended position. However, the locking mechanism may be the component that keeps spike14from being removed from the ground, with the user activating the locking mechanism upon sliding spike14into the extended position. Similarly, the locking mechanism, when activated, may restrict spike14from moving from the retracted position into the extended position. Deactivating the locking mechanism may enable the user to slide spike14between the retracted and extended positions. The locking mechanism may be any of a push tab system, a pin system, a clamp system, a push button system, a pressure system, or any other mechanism suitable for locking telescoping tubes into place.

In some instances, stability attachment10includes pedal16. Pedal16may be an extension off of body12or spike14that enables a user to push spike14into a ground surface with a foot or a hand. Pedal16may provide the user with added leverage in order to provide adequate force to pierce the ground surface effectively.

In accordance with the techniques described herein, to install surveying stick system2in place for the purpose of capturing surveying measurements, a user may attach stability attachment10to surveying stick base4using attachment mechanisms20A and20B. The user may place surveying stick base at a location to be surveyed, placing foot6on a ground surface at the location. The user may slide spike14from a retracted position to an extended position, such as by pushing on, or applying force to, pedal16with a hand or a foot, with the extended position placing spike14into the ground surface at the location to be surveyed to provide stabilization to surveying stick base4. The user may then capture the surveying measurements with any proper tools, such as using a theodolite attached to surveying stick base4at device hookup8. After capturing the surveying measurements, the user may retract spike14out of the ground surface and back into the retracted position.

FIG.2is a conceptual diagram illustrating a front view of surveying stick system2with surveying stick base4and stability attachment10with extension spring18, in accordance with the descriptions and devices described herein. As withFIG.1, the example surveying stick system2ofFIG.2includes surveying stick base4with foot4and device hookup8. Stability attachment10includes body12, spike14, pedal16, attachment mechanisms20A and20B, compartment22, and surveying flags24. In the example ofFIG.2, stability attachment10includes extension spring18.

In this example, extension spring18is in a resting position when spike14is in a retracted position. Extension spring18extends as the spike slidably shifts into the extended position, thereby applying pressure to spike14. Extension spring18, when extended, generates a first force that is less than a force needed to retract spike14from a ground surface penetrated by spike14. In this way, when spike14is inserted into the ground, extension spring18does not apply enough force to remove spike14from the ground, enabling spike14to stay in place and stabilize surveying stick system2. Furthermore, the first force is greater than a force needed to slidably shift spike14from the extended position into the retracted position when spike14is removed from the ground surface. In other words, extension spring18is specifically selected and calibrated, based on the specific materials used, such that the force exerted by extension spring18when in the extended position is enough to bring spike14back into the retracted position above the bottom of foot6when spike14is not inserted into the ground, but not enough force to remove spike14from a ground surface when spike14is in the extended position and inserted into the ground surface.

FIG.3is a conceptual diagram illustrating a front view of a surveying stick system with a surveying stick base and a stability attachment with an extension spring, in accordance with the descriptions and devices described herein. As withFIG.1, the example surveying stick system30ofFIG.3includes surveying stick base4with foot4and device hookup8. Stability attachment10includes body12, spike14, pedal16, attachment mechanisms20A and20B, compartment22, and surveying flags24. In the example ofFIG.3, stability attachment10includes compression spring32.

In such instances, compression spring32is in a resting position when spike14is in a retracted position. Compression spring32may compress as spike14slidably shifts into the extended position, thereby applying force to spike14. Compression spring32, when compressed, generates a first force that is less than a force needed to retract spike14from a ground surface penetrated by spike14. In this way, when spike14is inserted into the ground, compression spring32does not apply enough force to remove spike14from the ground, enabling spike14to stay in place and stabilize surveying stick system2. Furthermore, the first force is greater than a force needed to slidably shift spike14from the extended position into the retracted position when spike14is removed from the ground surface. In other words, compression spring32is specifically selected and calibrated, based on the specific materials used, such that the force exerted by compression spring32, when spike14is in the extended position, is enough to bring spike14back into the retracted position above the bottom of foot6when spike14is not inserted into the ground, but not enough force to remove spike14from a ground surface when spike14is in the extended position and inserted into the ground surface. In this way, spike14may stay retracted during transport, increasing the safety and reliability of surveying stick system2, while maintaining the integrity of spike14while spike14is inserted into a ground surface.

As shown inFIG.3, spike14may be varying in size while still adhering to the devices described herein. In the example ofFIG.3, spike14is shorter in length than spike14ofFIGS.1and2. However, in other examples, spike14may be of similar length, or of a longer length than spike14ofFIGS.1and2. In any instance of stability attachment10described herein, spike14may have a varying length to accommodate different conditions, such as different ground material or wind conditions.