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[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/033024, filed Aug. 4, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application 62/038,744, filed Aug. 18, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates in general to portable stakes used for providing an earth anchor. This stakes can be used to tether a pet outdoors or for the purpose of staking trees to secure from movement, especially newly planted trees, or for adjusting the angle of a tree&#39;s growth. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When pets are left outside, it is often desired for pets to be tethered. A common means of tethering pets is to affix one end of a leash, rope, chain, wire, or other medium to the dog and the other end to a stake mounted into the ground. These stakes are commonly driven into the ground, either screwed in or driven in. The security of such stakes is determined by the several factors including the type of soil, the depth of the stake driven or screwed into the ground, and the ability for the ground to hold the stake from pulling out. 
         [0004]    The present inventor has recognized a common problem with existing stakes is that they don&#39;t secure the top end of the stake from Movement. The puffing on the stake by the dog attached to the leash and therefore attached to the stake, loosens the soil around the stake. As the soil loosens around the stake, it becomes increasingly more likely that the dog will pull the stake out of the ground, partially or completely. The problem associated with the dog puffing it completely out of the ground is the obvious loss of security. The problem associated with partially pulling the stake out of the ground is the increasing likelihood the dog may bend, damage, or break the stake. A worthwhile note is that the loosening of the stake is typically the result of horizontal forces on the stake, as opposed to vertical. Typically the stakes are inserted vertically, but as the dog pulls on the stake and loosens the ground, the stake begins to change its orientation toward a horizontal position, which is the direction of pull, again, allowing the stake to be more easily pulled loose and out of the ground. 
         [0005]    The inventor recognizes the need to better secure the top portion of the stake to the ground, which is the end at the surface of the ground in order to prevent or minimize the ability of the stake to shift towards the horizontal by preventing or minimizing the loosening of the soil around the stake caused by the horizontal pulling from the dog. 
         [0006]    When trees are planted, it is usually necessary, if not recommended, for a tree to be secured in place to prevent the wind from blowing the tree over and to insure the tree grows straight. Typically, when a tree is planted commercially or residentially, the most common method of staking a tree is to drive wooden stakes into the ground and tie one end of a rope to the stake and the other end to the tree. There are usually at least 3 stake/rope combinations to prevent movement in any direction. Other times, one stake would be used if the purpose is to adjust the tree&#39;s angle of growth in one direction. 
         [0007]    Wooden stakes are usually driven into the ground with a sledge hammer. The stakes often loosen in the ground and the rope is not securely fastened as it is simply tied around the stake, which allows the possibility of the rope to slide off the top of the stake. 
         [0008]    The present inventor has recognized the need for a portable and secure staking method that is simple to install. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a stake assembly that has two parts: a stake and a “cup.” The stake may be a typical stake shape, spiral or straight, that are currently in the market place. The cup is inverted and is engaged with the shaft and is driven into the ground, capturing a large portion of the earth, or ground, to significantly reduce the ability of the shaft to move back and forth, loosen up, and then be pulled from the ground. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a spiral stake consisting of a metal (or other durable material) shaft, formed in a spiral for the portion of the stake that is screwed into the ground. The other end of the metal stake includes a straight vertical section immediately above the spiral. Above the spiral section is a formed loop that can be used both as a handle for screwing the stake into the ground by hand, or to accept a device such as a screwdriver, pry bar, or other device to provide leverage to assist in screwing into the ground. In another embodiment, the stake is straight. In this second embodiment, the looped top end of the stake is replaced with a flattened head such that a hammer can be used to pound on this flattened surface to drive the stake into the ground. 
         [0011]    The straight section of the shaft can have a raised portion, either formed by “stamping” the metal which displaces some of the metal to create a raised surface or surfaces, or formed by welding a raised surface, or other means to create the raised portion. The purpose of this surface is to create a physical barrier to act as a stop to an inverted metal, plastic, or other material cup structure. This inverted cup may include a round flat component, plus a hollow tube affixed to the underside by various means including, but not limited to gluing, welding, or formed together as one piece. 
         [0012]    The aforementioned cup provides holding properties by significantly increasing the difficulty to move the stake and reduces the ability of the stake to come loose in the ground. The cup has a center hole and fits over the shaft. Additionally, the cup is pushed into the ground, encapsulating a large portion of the soil, sand, clay, or other ground surface. By capturing a large portion of the soil, sand, clay, or other ground surface, the resistance to horizontal movement is significantly increased. 
         [0013]    When the stake is driven, pounded or screwed into the ground, the cup is also driven into the ground and held in place by the raised element on the shaft. This keeps the cup in the ground but also keeps a portion of the straight shaft section above the ground. 
         [0014]    When used to tether a dog, immediately above the cup and stop there may be a metal, or other material loop or swivel used to attach one end of the dog&#39;s leash to the stake. The loop or swivel fits loosely on the shaft in order to provide the ability for it to rotate 360 degrees. 
         [0015]    For anchoring a stationary object, such as a newly planted tree, it may be beneficial to arrange the stake at an angle. An advantageous application would have the cup angled so that the force of the rope, which is typically between 30 and 55 degrees from the ground, is perpendicular to the axis of the cup. The angled orientation of the cup makes it very difficult to pull the assembly out of the ground. The diameter of the cup grabs a large plug of earth making it more secure from movement that a simple stake in the ground. 
         [0016]    The aforementioned cup provides significant holding properties by increasing the difficulty to move the stake, therefore reducing the ability of the stake to come loose in the ground. The cup has a center hole and fits over the shaft. Additionally, the cup is pushed into the ground, typically on an angle so that the force pulling on the tree to the stake is approximately a 90 degree angle to the cup&#39;s angle, encapsulating a large portion of the soil, sand, clay, or other ground surface. By capturing a large portion of the soil, sand, clay, or other ground surface, the resistance to horizontal movement is significantly increased. 
         [0017]    When the stake is driven, or screwed into the ground, the cup is also driven into the ground and held in place by the raised element on the shaft. This keeps the cup in the ground but also keeps a portion of the straight shaft section above the ground. A carabineer, or other loop device is affixed to the stake, above the cup, to attach a rope, wire or the like. The other end of the rope wire or the like is attached to the tree. 
         [0018]    A further embodiment provides that the cup has a larger opening to pass the stake, even the spiral stake, without turning the stake, and a plug affixed to the stake that closes the larger opening and presses on the cup when the stake is pounded or screwed into the earth. The cup can have teeth on a bottom edge such that the cup can be rotated by hand to cut through vegetation or earth. Thus the cup can be at least partially forced into the earth before the stake is driven into the earth through the cup. The stake can be connected to the plug by the plug being molded around and over raised portions on the outside surface of the stake. 
         [0019]    The stake assembly embodiments of the invention can have many uses including: to tether pets; to laterally support trees with wire or rope; to anchor tents; to anchor inflatable Christmas lawn ornaments; to anchor inflatable play houses, bouncy houses or &amp;ides that are rented for lawn parties, etc. 
         [0020]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a stake assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a stake assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 A- 2 A of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing three alternate cross sections for the stakes; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cup portion of either embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cup portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  as installed in the earth; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a stake assembly of a further embodiment of the invention, installed in the earth and supporting a tree; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged elevation view taken from  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the stake assembly of  FIG. 7  with portions removed to see underlying parts; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment stake assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a further embodiment stake assembly in a first position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the further embodiment stake assembly of  FIG. 10  in a second position; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the plug taken from  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0035]    While this invention has different embodiments, other forms and shapes of the stake may be used that are similar in design. The drawings show plural embodiments, including one stake with a straight main shaft and another stake with a spiral or helical shaft. It should be noted that other shapes of the stake o shaft could also be used. Additionally, the bottom side of the “cup” is shaped as a circle. The cup&#39;s underside and topside could take any geometrical shape and have similar function. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a stake assembly  100 . A stake  102  is typically fabricated from metal, such as steel, but could be made from other durable materials. The stake  102  has a shaft portion  104  that is driven into the soil, sand, clay, or other earth surface. Towards the top of the stake  102 , there is a straight section  108  and either a generally flat or domed head  110  providing an impact receiving surface for the stake  102  to be pounded into the ground with a hammer. On the shaft in the straight section  108 , there is a raised surface forming a stop or side ears  114 . Below the ears  114  is a cup  120  formed by a cylindrical sidewall  122  and closed on the top by a plate  126 . The cylindrical sidewall has an open bottom end  128 . The plate  126  includes a hole  130  for receiving the shaft portion  104  therethrough. The ears  114  extend laterally to an outside dimension greater than a diameter of the hole  130  to act as a stop to prevent the straight section from passing through the plate  126 . The stop  114  can be formed by stamping the metal, welding a raised surface, or any other means to create a raised surface. Alternatively, a hole could be drilled into the shaft straight section  108  and a pin inserted to form a stop. 
         [0037]    A ring, carabineer, openable chain link or other connector  134  is fit around the straight section  108  below the head  110 . This connector can be engaged by a pet leash, wire, chain or other member that needs anchorage from the stake assembly  100 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment stake assembly  140 . This embodiment is identical to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  except that an alternate stake  150  is used. The stake  150  is has a helical shaft  156  that is intended to be screwed into the earth rather than being pounded into the earth. The stake  150  includes the straight section  108  and the stop  114  of  FIG. 1 . Instead of the head  110  of  FIG. 1 , the straight section  108  extends upward into a loop  160 . The loop  160  is sized and shaped for a user to grip with a hand and rotate the stake to drive the helical shaft  156  into the earth. The loop  160  can receive a tool or bar to assist a user in rotating the stake. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2A  shows that the stakes  102 ,  150  can have alternate cross sections: round, square, triangular or any other sturdy cross section. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show an embodiment of the cup  120 . The cup  120  may be one piece formed together or two pieces attached through welding, gluing, or other method of affixing two components together. Typically the cup is made from metal, but could be plastic, nylon, or any other durable material. The plate  126  can be a flat, round metal top. The cylinder  122  may have an outside diameter ranging from the diameter as wide of the plate  126  to as narrow as slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft  104 ,  156 .  FIG. 4  shows the underside of the cup  120  with the ground,  174  captured inside the tube. 
         [0041]    For the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is possible that the stake  102 ,  150  can be welded to the cup  120  at the plate  126  around the hole  130  and the stop  114  could be eliminated. In that case the cup and stake are driven or rotated as one unit. However, it may be easier to install the assembly if the hole  130  is larger than an outside dimension or diameter of the stake lower section  104 ,  156  such that the stake can be driven or screwed into the earth with freedom of movement with respect to the cup  120  and only impact the cup when the stop  114  reaches the plate  126 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 2  screwed into the earth. The assembly  100  or  140  is driven or screwed into the ground such that the cup&#39;s cylindrical wall  122  is under the ground surface  170  and the plate  126  is flush to the surface  170 , while the stake is driven deep enough so the stop  114  is tight against the plate  126  holding it firmly in the ground. The cup  120  captures soil  174  within the cylindrical wall  122  beneath the plate  126 , also shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 6-8  show another embodiment stake assembly  200  of the invention secured into the ground. In this illustration the stake assembly is supporting a tree  201  (not drawn to correct proportion compared to the illustrated size of the stake assembly) through a wire  202 . 
         [0044]    The stake assembly  200  is identical to the prior described embodiment of  FIG. 2  except that the cup  120  is replaced by a cup  220  that has a cylindrical sidewall  222  that has a longitudinal axis  224  that is obliquely angled with respect to the plate  126 . The sidewall  222  has an open bottom end  228  in a plane that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the plate  126 . In  FIG. 6 , the plate  126  has a bottom side pushed flush to the ground  170  while the cup cylindrical sidewall  222  is pushed into the ground obliquely and secured in place by the spiral stake  150 . As previously described, the stake fits through the hole  130  in the plate  126  and uses the stop  114  to press the plate  126 . 
         [0045]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle β ( FIG. 7 ) between the axis  224  and the bottom surface of the plate  126  is about  35  degrees. For many applications, this will make the angle θ ( FIG. 6 ) between the wire  202  and the axis  224  about 90 degrees. This will provide near the maximum pull-out resistance of the stake due to tensile force on the wire. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate embodiment stake assembly  300  that uses the cup assembly  220  of  FIGS. 6-8  with the plate  126  and the angled cylindrical sidewall  222 , combined with the driven stake  102  as described in  FIG. 1 . The stake  102  of  FIG. 1  can have modified ears  114   a  that are angled to be flush with the top plate  126  when the stake  102  is driven at an angle corresponding to the axis  224  of the cylindrical sidewall  222 . Also, although the bottom open end  228  is shown parallel to the bottom surface of the plate  126 , and the ground surface, it could be cut along the plane  228   a  to be perpendicular to the axis  224 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 10-12  show a further embodiment of a stake assembly  400 . The spiral stake  150  of  FIG. 2  is shown although the stake  102  shown in  FIG. 1  could alternately be used. On the shaft in the straight section  108 , there is the raised surface or side ears  114 . A plastic plug  406  is mounted onto and around the ears  114  to fix the plug  406  onto the stake  150 . The plug includes a top flange  408  and a lower plug body  410 , formed together. The top flange  408  is a circular disk extending outward of the lower plug body  410 . It is also possible that the stake and plug are formed together as a unitary piece. 
         [0048]    Below the plug  406  is a cup  420  formed by a cylindrical sidewall  422  and substantially closed on the top by a plate  426 . The cylindrical sidewall has an open bottom end  428 . The end  428  can have circumferentially arranged teeth  429  that allow the rotation of the sidewall  422  to cut through vegetation or earth when rotated. The plate  426  includes an opening  430  for receiving the stake  150  therethrough. Above the opening is a socket  436  having a passage  438  the same size as, and in registry with, the opening  430 . The opening  430  and passage  438  are sufficiently lame to allow the spiral stake to pass through without having to be screwed through the opening. The passage  438  is slightly larger in clearance or diameter to allow the lower plug body  410  to fit into the socket  436  but small enough that the top flange  408  of the plug  406  cannot fit through the passage  438 . The socket  420 , the plate  426  and the cylindrical sidewall  422  can be formed as a unitary piece. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows the installed position of the plug  406  into the socket  436  with the top flange  408  on top of the socket  436 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows one version of the plug  406 . The lower plug body  410  is not a solid cylindrical body. Instead it is comprised of a central hub  458  and crossing ribs  460 ,  461 ,  462 ,  463  and  464 . The use of ribs  460 ,  461 ,  462 ,  463  and  464  is effective to reduce the amount of plastic required while still allowing the lower plug body to extend deep into the socket  436 . The ears  114  are molded into the central hub  458 . The top flange  408  and the lower plug body  410  can be formed as a unitary piece. 
         [0051]    Although other dimensions are encompassed by the invention, the following dimensions are useful. The length L of the lower portion of the stake  104 ,  156  can be about 7-12 inches long. The buried depth D 1  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the cup  120 ,  220 ,  420  can be 2-6 inches. The diameter D 2  ( FIGS. 4 ,  8  and  11 ) of the cylindrical sidewall  122 ,  222 ,  422  can be 2-4 inches. The diameter D 3  ( FIGS. 4 and 11 ) of the plate  126 ,  426  can be 3-6 inches, and larger than D 2 . 
         [0052]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Summary:
A stake assembly provides an earth anchor and includes a stake having a longitudinal axis and an upper portion and a lower portion. The stake is attached to a cup having a sidewall defining a closed perimeter and a top wall substantially closing the sidewall, the sidewall having an open bottom end. The stake passes through the top wall with the upper portion above the top wall and the lower portion below the top wall. When the stake is pounded or screwed into the ground the cup captures soil which adds resistance to the stake being removed from the ground. One embodiment has the cup at an oblique angle to to the top wall.