Peg for fixing posts or stakes in the ground

The present invention relates to a peg with insert sleeve as well as a process for using the peg for fixing posts or sticks in the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a peg with insert sleeve as well as a 
process for using said peg for fixing posts or sticks in the ground. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Of the four main methods of fixing posts or similar in the ground, the 
first one consists in preparing a hole in the ground, planting the base of 
the post at the bottom of the hole then filling it up. The disadvantage of 
this solution, in addition to the considerable amount of work (digging and 
filling in), is that it does not ensure a good stability for the post: 
filling in with the earth extracted only offering low resistance to the 
transverse forces exerted on the post. For this reason, filling in or 
packing with earth is replaced by concrete. This solution is time and 
labor wasting and costly in transporting the concrete. Another easier 
solution uses stabilizing means associated with the base of the post and 
engaged at the same time as this latter in the hole: after filling in, 
such stabilization (generally using radial projecting anchorage elements) 
ensures better fixing of the post. 
In the patent UK No. 4 338 (John Dick) and UK No. 4 240 (J. H. Smith), the 
stabilizer is formed by the assembly of two pieces of metal sheeting each 
comprising at least one stabilizing fin, extending radially with respect 
to the post and at least one central or lateral bent part. These bent 
parts of the two pieces cooperate for defining a passage for the pole 
which is engaged therein so as to be held radially in position. In these 
examples, securing of the two pieces together is provided by engagement of 
the post which plays a role similar to the hinge pin of a hinge. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,596, the stabilizer is formed from an anchorage 
plate with central window and an omega shaped removable assembly collar 
whose curved central part is introduced in the window until its side legs 
cme into abutment against one of the faces of the anchorage plate. The 
post is engaged in the curved part which projects on the other side of the 
plate, thus securing the whole together: post/collar/plate. 
In the above described examples, before positioning the post, the 
stabilizer has to be fitted on the post before introducing the assembly 
into the hole. 
A serious disadvantage of this solutions is that they require considerable 
sized holes to be dug for receiving the post and its stabilizing means. 
The second method of fixing posts consists in driving them in by impact. 
That slightly compacts the ground about the post during penetration 
thereof, giving better stability in comparison with the post placed in a 
previously dug hole. 
In numerous applications, that is insufficient and the addition of 
stabilizing means is necessary. 
In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,213 the post is axially extended, at its base, 
by a pointed spade whose upper part projects laterally from the post, 
serving as abutment surface and stabilizer. 
A weighted sleeve slides along the post and forcibly strikes the spade, for 
driving the post into the ground. The spade must therefore be massive and 
very rigid, resulting in particularly costly and dissuasive spade/stake 
prices for a large number of applications, in particular in stony and 
rocky ground where driving in of the posts is not easy, even impossible. 
The third fixing method consists in placing the stabilizing means after the 
post has been driven into the ground. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,726 (Grandy 
Johnson) and F.R. No. 2 097 389, stabilization is obtained by a 
rectangular metal plate or a metal plate shaped with a point towards the 
bottom with, in its middle part, a collar (obtained by cutting out and 
stamping) having the same dimension as the section of the post, for 
slidably mounting on this latter. Once the base of the post has been 
driven into the ground, it is stabilized by sliding the plate to the 
ground where it is driven in by impact, which damages the galvanisation or 
the coating of the post. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,726, a sleeve sliding on 
the post is used for driving in said stabilizer. 
The solutions proposed in these three patents do not resolve the problem of 
driving in the post (particularly when they are of large size and in rocky 
ground). Traditional posts can only be driven directly into light or loose 
soil. These solutions as well as the preceding ones do not allow ready 
removal of the post and, consequently, replacement thereof, and thus, on 
this score, are no better than the traditional techniques which they 
wished to rival. 
The fourth method consists in using a peg, driven in previously, in which 
the post is engaged. 
In French Pat. No. F.R. 2 290 052, the peg comprises a massive tubular body 
whose upper end is open and whose lower end is closed by a conical portion 
itself extended by a pointed axial rod. 
This peg is relatively complex and costly to manufacture, and its parts can 
be neither simplified nor omitted: the rod for correct guiding, the 
conical portion for facilitating preperforation and preventing penetration 
of the earth and wings integral with the body for stabilizing purposes. 
The applicant has corrected the above mentioned dificiencies. His patent 
F.R. No. 2 422 793 provides a very advantageous process with a special 
peg, driven into the ground using an appropriate tool: the peg, intended 
for fixing posts or stakes in the ground, comprises anchoring fins 
defining, by their bent edges, a sleeve substantially equal to the total 
height of the peg. Said sleeve forms the housing for the base of a post or 
stake. 
In a first addition No. 79-09679, the applicant provides a peg formed by an 
assembly of two metal zig zag plates, each forming a single fin. According 
to the process, the peg is placed on the ground and the shank of a driving 
and guiding too, which passes through and completely occupies the sleeve, 
is introduced therein. This shank, slighly longer than the sleeve is 
provided at its upper part with a stop which bears on the fins and allows 
the peg to be driven into the ground. Then, the tool is removed and is 
replaced by the post in the sleeve. The peg is driven in (vertically or 
angularly) along the axis of the tool, without being deformed, and the 
shank does not let earth penetrate into the sleeve. To prevent the top of 
the sleeve from being bruised by the driving in shocks which would 
adversely affect the subsequent positioning of a post or stake, the stop 
comprises a recess around the shank, on its bearing face. The peg is 
guided accurately all the more so since the shank and the sleeve have 
identical or complementary sections, at least over a part of their length. 
It is troublesome to have to store shanks of several sections matching the 
different profiles of the peg sleeves. The applicant has overcome this 
drawback in his patent F.R. No. 82-09944 by associating with the tool a 
set of insertable and removable sleeves for matching the section of the 
shank to the peg sleeves of different sections. 
The pegs described in patent F.R. No. 2422793 and the first addition 
7909679 can only be used for a given post or stake section, which 
hereagain involves a considerable and varied stock of parts. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The purpose of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages. The new 
peg offers, in addition to the advantages provided by the above mentioned 
patents of the applicant, a simplified manufacture, a broadening of the 
capacities for receiving different posts and stake sections an reducton of 
the stock in volume and in number of the pegs to be stored (fewer 
varieties required). 
For this, it provides a peg comprising 
an anchorage piece whose central surface portion or middle part extends 
over the whole height of the piece, along a median axis corresponding to 
the driving-in axis of the piece. 
at least two fins whose upper edge is intended to receive the impact forces 
and in which at least one part of the lateral edge portion is slanting 
with respect to the driving-in axis, so as to promote penetration into the 
ground, 
first assembly means provided on each side of the middle part, forming 
elongate and flat housings, 
a removable sleeve, in the form of a shaped section, having a length equal 
to that of the anchorage piece and a section varying in dependence on that 
of the corresponding post or stake, 
second assembly means, in the form of lateral flat portions, cooperating on 
this sleeve with said first means for ensuring fixing of the above 
mentioned removable sleeve on the middle part, coaxially with the 
driving-in axis. 
Temporary assembly is then provided by sliding the flat portions of the 
removable sleeve in the flat and elongate housings of the anchoring piece, 
parallel to the driving in axis. 
Contary to what was stated in the above mentioned application in which the 
applicant proposed an improvded tool (for driving in and guiding the 
pegs), whose shank was provided with an abutment surface or stop 
comprising a lower surface having a hollow central part (for preserving 
the top of the sleeve of the peg from bruising caused by the impacts, 
which may prevent removal of the tool and introduction of the post or 
stake), the present invention proposes no longer preserving the top of the 
sleeve, but deforming it advantageously. 
The new splaying tool is not only a tool for driving but also for gripping 
and splaying which, during driving in of the peg, completes the top of the 
sleeve of this latter. The temporary assembly thus becomes final and 
irreversible. 
The invention provides improvements facilitating: gripping, positioning of 
the peg at the position where it is to be driven into the ground, removal 
of the tool and introduction of the post or stake into the sleeve once the 
peg is driven in. 
The new tool comprises, at the junction between the abutment piece and the 
shank (in place of the anti-bruising hollow) a shape opening out 
progressively from said shank, to said abutment piece, so as to ensure: 
gripping of the peg: the shank is introduced into the sleeve until the 
upper orifice is jammed against the opened out or splayed shaped. The peg 
is firmly secured to the tool, which allows it to be transported while 
being suspended to the desired place where it is to be driven in, 
the formation of a splayed portion by progressive deformation of the upper 
part of the sleeve in accordance with the splay of the shank, under the 
impacts, such a splayed portion facilitating removal of the tool and 
introduction of the stake or post, 
concentration of the impacts and guiding applied to the peg by the tool 
along the driving-in axis and in line with the central part which is more 
resistant than the stabilizing fins, 
splaying firmly securing the two pieces of the peg together and providing 
better and final cohesion by means of this splayed portion, 
in accordance with one feature of the invention formation of said splayed 
portion is facilitated by the fact that the walls of the sleeve, in 
particular at the level of its upper part, are thin and free of 
appreciable extra thick portions and are consequently suitable for being 
deformed. 
If it is desired to adapt to the tool the removable insertable sleeve 
described in patent F.R. 8209944, a splayed part exactly matching that 
which connects the abutment piece to the shank of the tool is formed at 
its upper end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The peg shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 18 comprises an anchorage piece 1 formed 
from a single cut-out metal sheet bent to form fins 101 and 102 jointed to 
the central part 103 and forming two flat elongate housings 1010 and 1020 
open on one side and at both ends, for receiving the bent portions of a 
sleeve element such as 201, 202, 203, 204, 205. 
Defining, by their shape, an axis XX' and a driving direction F, the fins 
101 and 102 are slanted symetrically with respect to the middle part 103 
so as to recenter the driving-in force with respect to the volume 
determined by the whole of the peg and so as to obtain stabilized 
multidirectional anchorage. 
The two flat housings 1010, 1020 reinforce also the longitudinal and 
central strength of the peg, where the impacts are concentrated. 
FIG. 2 shows, with broken lines, the sleeve element 202 and the middle part 
of peg 103 situated at an appropriate distance from the face of the sleeve 
which is paralle to said middle part. The junctions (between the outer 
bends of the middle part 103 and fins 101 and 102) form projecting 
abutment surfaces 1011 and 1021 which prevent the two inserted faces of 
the sleeve 202 from moving aside. The peg and the sleeve which is solid 
therewith over the whole of its height have an evolute maximizing the 
contact area with the abutment surface of the shank. The base of the peg 
has a truncated shape for economizing metal, the edge of the pointed end 
of the tool being sufficient for driving in (FIG. 19). 
In a variant of shape and arrangement, the bends of the anchorage piece and 
the flat portions of the sleeve open towards the axis of symmetry of the 
peg and not towards the fins (FIG. 18). In FIG. 2, the bends are simpler 
and better protect the bend lines should they come up against stones. 
Since it may project outwardly and not inwardly of the volume defined by 
the fins, the middle part 103 may even form a separate part assembled to 
two separate fins; the three parts of the anchorage piece and the sleeve 
form, by means of the bent edges, a peg reducing storage requirements but 
penalising the use and manufacture thereof. 
The open sleeve is only closed by its junction to the central part of the 
anchorage piece. If recentering of the driving forces with respect to the 
volume defined by the fins is respected, the role of the two pieces 
forming a complete sleeve may be more or less equal: each of these two 
pieces may even be given the role of a half sleeve body. In one of the 
embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the added sleeve element is guided and 
received by flat housings formed by bends of a length equal to that of the 
anchorage element so that the shank of the tool occupies the whole of the 
sleeve and prevents an penetration of earth therein. 
One of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 shows that the flat 
housings do not need to extend continuously over the whole height of the 
peg; instead of the continuous guide and housing bends for the element of 
the inserted sleeve, two pairs of tongues 1011-1021 and 1012-1022 are 
preferred which are obtained by cutting out and stamping the central part 
of the anchorage piece. The surface of the tongues is preserved from 
stamping so as to remain in the plane of the upper face of the 
parallelepipedic boss 1032 while partially overlapping two gutters 
1030-1031 separated by this boss 1032. These pairs of tongues are 
sufficient, in cooperation with the gutters for guiding and holding in 
position the bent edges or flat portions of the insert sleeve element 202 
shown partially engaged on the anchorage piece in FIG. 8. 
Sleeve elements with different shapes and dimensions may be fixed to the 
same anchorage piece for receiving posts or stakes of different sections. 
Advantageously, stiffeners such as 1013-1014 (FIGS. 5 and 7) are formed 
from the flat surface common to the two tongues of the same pair and on 
the intermediate boss surface, for preventing accidental sliding of the 
post and of the element of the sleeve. 
The anchorage piece shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 may be advantageously formed by 
pressing, the sleeve then being obtained from continuous shaped sections. 
Sleeve 206, an indpendent inserted piece, may have a closed triangular, 
circular, rectangular or other section, but may also be opened over the 
whole of its length as shown in FIG. 9, which allows it to receive a post 
P of "ELKOSTA" type (Elkosta is a registered trademark) whose T shaped 
projection will pass through slit 2040 towards the outside of the sleeve 
and will lock the post at the level of the upper edge of collar 1023. The 
penetration of earth into the sleeve through this slit is negligible and 
in no wise hinders introduction of the post. 
The peg of FIGS. 10 and 11 is extruded. For facilitating driving in, the 
fins of the anchorage piece have a certain slope through oblique cuts. 
To reduce the number of models of insertable sleeves and driving-in tools, 
the compatibility of posts and tool shanks with larger sleeve sections is 
obtained by inserting an additional wedging piece or "compensation sheath" 
(a role played by the removalbe insert sleeve). Made from metal or a 
plastic material, adhesive or not, it remains in the sleeve after the post 
has been positioned and envelopes it wholly or partly, depending on its 
shape (strip, tube, or other). Simple wedging of the post may be 
sufficient (a single face in the case of a triangular section). 
In its variants, the peg is driven in using the following tools: 
with a normal too, the peg C is disposed at the position where it is to be 
driven in, then the shank of the tool, whose outwardly projecting point 
penetrates into the ground, is engaged in its sleeve. 
with the splaying tool, the peg C is disposed on the shank where it is 
jammed against the splayed portion 173 (FIG. 14), which allows the peg to 
be gripped by jamming in the opening O of the panel (FIG. 15) and causes 
with the first impacts widening or splaying of the upper part of the 
sleeve. Thus, during driving in, correction of the two pieces of the peg 
together by crimping (anchorage piece/sleeve) is improved as also 
recentering of the shocks exerted along the central axis of the peg on the 
abutment piece 17 in FIG. 12 and then, after driving, in extraction of the 
tool and introduction of the post. 
In both cases, after introduction of the shank of the tool in the peg, and 
under the shocks of ram 16 on the abutment piece 17, the peg penetrates 
into the ground. After passing slightly beyond the level of the ground, 
the tool is withdrawn then the post fitted without the packed earth having 
been able to penetrate into the sleeve. 
The projection (immpetus and release) of the ram along the guide of the 
tool above the abutment piece, increases the mass of this ram to such an 
extent that the forces transmitted to the point of the shank projecting 
from the truncated cone shaped base of the peg (FIG. 19) pulverise 
substantial rocks. 
FIG. 12 shows, projecting from the sleeve of a peg during driving-in, the 
point of a shank 151 having an abutment piece 17 whose lower face 172 and 
splayed shape 173 bear on peg C and whose upper face 177 receives the 
blows of the ram 16 (with ribs 161 which are easy to grasp) sliding on 
guide 15. 
In both cases, adaptation of the driving tool to different sleeve sections 
may be obtained by a removable matching insert sleeve whose central part 3 
(FIG. 16-17) is provided or not with longtudinal recesses 30, 31, 32, 33 
between ends 2 and 2', end 2 closely matching the shank R of the driving 
tool just above the point thereof. 
Thus a set of sleeves is provided for adapting a single tool to pegs having 
sleeves of different sections. 
Recesses 30, 31, 32, 33 prevent the sleeve from sticking to the sleeve of 
the peg and the central part of the shank of the tool. 
Part 2' of the sleeve ends advantageously in a splayed part 20 matching 
that of the previously described tool and playing the same role. 
Peg C is lighter in construction for it profits from preperforation and 
guiding by the tool. 
The shank preserves the inside of the sleeve from shocks or flexions during 
driving-in, under the cumulated effect of the impacts or of hard bodies 
met with. 
It also prevents any penetration of earth detrimental to subsequent fitting 
of the post. 
The guidance and strength of the pegs are not weakened when the fins are 
twisted or are torn when meeting hard points in the ground during 
driving-in, the strength being reinforced by: 
the partial deformations and tears of the fins, 
compacting (effected by the point of the shank) of the earth moved along 
the sleeve (FIG. 13) 
the very considerable compacting, effected by the abutment surface of the 
shank, at the head of the peg, below the level of the ground, at the end 
of drivingin when the impacts are continued. 
Moreover, there may be provided on the fins: 
stiffening bends which facilitate alignment thereof an allow stacking for 
packing; 
perforations which facilitate rational deformation thereof so as to improve 
the anchorage and the interpentration of foreign bodies such as earth, 
roots, stones, etc. . . 
One example of these perforations and stiffening bends is shown with broken 
lines in FIG. 20. The fins may further comprise, as shown in this FIG. 20, 
perforations 70 which facilitate handling and storage, as well as the 
fastening of cables, hooks, etc. . . , in particular for locking thereto 
the base plates 71 of a post 72 of large section. 
In this case, post 72 cannot penetrate into the sleeve, plate 71 is 
provided in place of the abutment surface of the tool, at the top of the 
sleeve and the fins, thus allowing tools of small section to be used for 
large-sized pegs and posts. 
For fixing the post to the peg, the top of the sleeve may be crimped by an 
impact or horizontal twist using an appropriate tool, such for example as 
the one shown in FIG. 21. 
This tool comprises a rod 73 having at its lower end a slit 74 and at its 
upper end a cross arm 75. The tool is positioned so that its slit 74 is 
astride the upper edge of sleeve 76, nips it while penetrating partly into 
the ground and partly into the existing space between sleeve 76 and post 
77. By rotating rod 73, using arm 75, the post 77 is thus crimped by 
reducing the section of the sleeve 76. 
Positioning of stakes using pegs with separate sleeve driving tools in 
accordance with the present invention may be advantageously carried out in 
accordance with the process hereafter which comprises the following steps: 
the choice of a separate sleeve corresponding to the section of the post or 
stake which it is desired to position, 
fitting the sleeve on an anchorage plate, 
positioning of the peg thus formed at the position where it is desired to 
drive in the post or stake, 
introduction into the sleeve of the shank of the driving tool, 
application of repeated impact forces on the driving tool so as to drive in 
simultaneously said tool and said peg, 
removal of the driving tool once the peg has been completely driven into 
the ground, 
fitting of a post or stake into the sleeve of the peg. 
Of course, in the case where the driving tool comprises a splayed part such 
as the one previously described, once the sleeve has been fitted on the 
anchorage piece, the process may comprise: 
introduction of the tool into the sleeve of the thus formed peg, 
gripping then positioning of the assembly formed by the peg and the tool at 
the position where it is desired to set up the post or stake, 
driving-in the peg in the way described above. 
Similarly, when it is required to adapt the driving tool to the sleeve of 
the peg, the process may further comprise, before introducing the shank of 
the tool in the sleeve of the peg, positioning of the adapting sleeve 
either on said shank, or in the sleeve. 
The process may further comprise an additional phase for driving in the 
peg, slightly below the level of the ground so as to allow additional 
compacting of the earth around the peg. 
It is clear that the above described method allows posts or stakes to be 
set up at a very rapid rate whatever the nature of the ground. It has the 
further advantage of only using simple and inexpensive materials and may 
be produced industrially using mass production methods.