Abstract:
A hand-operable device of mounting an anchoring pin and inserting the pin into the ground includes a hand-graspable elongate handle having an upper under and a lower end and a magnetic puck assembly fixed to the handle lower end for picking up an anchoring pin and maintaining in an insertion position until the pin is inserted into the ground.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/663,657, filed Mar. 21, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention generally relates to anchoring pins for matting and geotextile materials and more particularly to a unique anchoring pin insertion unit.  
         [0004]     It is becoming common practice to lay erosion control materials, such as, for example, matting or geotextile materials fabric, over grass seedlings or sod, particularly on sloping ground bordering roads and highway interchanges. Anywhere that water is expected to form a stream, such erosion control can be, and currently is being, practiced. Such waterways can be natural or man-made. Regardless of the formation of the waterway, erosion control dictates that a bed of grass be installed in the portion of the waterway where water is carried.  
         [0005]     In other instances, mulch netting can be positioned over a bed of mulch to hold the mulch in place. Such netting is required, then, to be held in position such as, for example, by anchoring pins.  
         [0006]     In practice, the anchoring pins can be driven into the ground using a hammer. This is a laborious task requiring the worker to be on hands and knees. Alternatively, a hand-operable device for inserting the anchoring pins while the worker remains standing can be used, such as, for example, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,456. A major drawback to such devices is the ability of the worker to mate the anchoring pin or staple with the device in such a manner that the worker can remain standing and in easy fashion so that the productivity of the worker does not suffer.  
         [0007]     Of more recent vintage is the growing of sod using a plastic webbing laid over the ground before the grass seed germinates. Such sod growing technique permits thinner layers of sod to be harvested in rolls, rather than squares, as has typically been the practice. Such rolls of sod can be held to the ground, especially on hillsides, using the same pinning technique as has been common in waterway construction.  
         [0008]     It is to a device that can be used to pin insertion in the field that the present invention is addressed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A hand-operable device of mounting a metallic anchoring pin and inserting the pin into the ground includes a hand-graspable elongate handle having an upper under and a lower end and a magnetic puck assembly fixed to the handle lower end for picking up an anchoring pin and maintaining in an insertion position until the pin is inserted into the ground. For present purposes, a “metallic” anchoring pin is defined as a pin which either is made from magnetic material or is modified to have an area that is capable of being attracted to and held by a magnetic (a magnetic material), such as, for example, by coating with a metallic paint, imbedding a magnetic piece, or otherwise associating a metallic piece with a non-metallic pin. For present purposes, “magnetic” means a material that is attracted by a magnetic and which can be magnetized. For present purposes, “planar” for two or more components means that neither component is recessed nor protruding with respect to each other, i.e., they present a planar surface.  
         [0010]     The disclosed magnetic puck assembly for picking up a metallic anchoring pin and maintaining it in an insertion position until the pin is inserted into the ground includes an upper magnetic mounting ring having a central aperture, a lower magnetic metallic anchoring pin bearing ring having a central aperture, and an annular magnet sandwiched between the upper mounting ring and the lower bearing ring, and having a central aperture. A magnetic tapered pin is inserted within all of the central apertures and is in contact with the upper mounting ring, but being spaced apart from the lower magnetic ring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1 a  perspective view of an anchoring pin insertion device in an operable position inserting an anchoring pin into the ground to securing matting to the ground;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an anchoring pin or staple useful with the inventive device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  or  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive device showing an alternative, and presently preferred, device;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view like that in  FIG. 5 , but with an alternative shaft attachment; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the magnetic puck assembly of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is yet another anchoring pin configuration;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is yet a further anchoring pin configuration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view like that in  FIGS. 3, 5 , and  6 , but where the magnetic puck assembly has been modified to accept a staple;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the magnetic puck assembly for staples shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the waterway matte shown generally in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another staple embodiment where the top or head is formed into the shape of a “V”; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another magnetic puck embodiment adapted for use with the V-top staple illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The drawings will be described in further detail below. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , matting,  10 , is placed on the ground,  12 , which can be a waterway. Matting  10  conforms to the shape of ground  12  and is held in position by a number of anchoring pins or staples, an example of such pins being pin  14 . The pins may all be configured like pin  14  or can be a mix of a variety of pin configurations. Ground  12  already has been seeded with grass or other suitable planting material for preventing and/or opposing erosion of the soil. A variety of grasses, ground cover, or other planting material is well known in this field and requires no further description herein. Similarly, the composition and details of matting  10  is well known in the field and requires little further description herein. An example of one matting is seen in  FIG. 12 , where strong strands of straw,  58 , is seen held in place by a series of ostensibly parallel strands of material, such as, strand  60 , and a web of vertical and horizontal strands, such as strands  62  and  64 . In the particular matte in  FIG. 12 , the vertical only strands, such as strand  60 , is larger than the smaller checkered strands,  62  and  64 . Of course, a variety of similar and different waterway matting is available, all of which can be anchored by the anchoring insertion unit disclosed herein.  
         [0027]     In order for a worker to remain standing and insert the anchoring pins into ground  12  for securing matting  10  to ground  12 , the inventive pin insertion device,  16 , is shown in an operating position held by a worker&#39;s hand,  18 . Terminating the lower end of an elongate handle,  20 , is a magnetic puck assembly,  22 , holding a pin,  24 , for its insertion through matting  10  and into ground  12 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a typical staple or anchoring pin,  26 , is formed from an elongate shaft,  28 , and an upper head,  30 . Pin  26  is formed from metal wire of suitable content to resist premature oxidation or breakdown in use. Thus, the thickness is sufficient to permit insertion into the ground. It need not last for too long of a time inasmuch as the matting is required only for permitting the seed or seedlings time to mature. At that time, the matting and pins have served their useful purpose.  
         [0029]     Head  30  also is made from the same metal wire; although, it could be made of different material, different thickness wire, or solid. Requirements of head  30  also include the ability to bear the force exerted for insertion of pin  26  into the ground. For present purposes, head  30  needs to be made from magnetic material or coated with magnetic material. Shaft  28  need not be made from magnetic material, but can be.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , magnetic assembly or puck  22  of device  16  retains pin  24  by magnetically engaging the head,  26 , or pin  24 . Puck  22  is connected to shaft  20  by a screw,  28 . Magnetic puck  22  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  is formed from an outer casing,  30 , that houses a magnet,  32 . Both casing  30  and magnetic  32  are annular in shape with the inner aperture permitting insertion of screw  28 . Casing  30  may be made of magnetic material or of non-magnetic material. Inner annular magnet  32  has sufficient magnetic strength for carrying the weight of pin  24  by picking up pin  24  and then inserting pin  24  into ground  12 . The lower surface,  34 , of case  30  is relative flat and smooth for mating with head  26  of pin  24 , In order to urge head  26  to be co-extensive with puck  22  and not extend beyond the outer edge of puck  22 , an outer protruding lip,  36 , is formed to extend from case  30 . Thus, when pin  24  is picked up by the worker from the ground or a bin, head  30  will center or self-center onto puck  22  with lip  36  assisting in such centering. The strength of magnet  32 , the composition of pin  24 , and like factors will enable the manufacturer to select the material for case  30  and lower surface  34 , their thickness, and the like factors. After insertion of pin  24  into ground  12 , the user need only lift up on handle  20  to detach handle  20  from pin  24 . In fact, if pin  24  is pulled out of the ground by lifting up on handle,  20 , then the pin was sufficiently stuck into the ground. In that sense, puck  22  is self-monitoring for determining whether pin  24  will be retained by the ground in which it was inserted. Pivoting of handle  20  slightly about puck  22  to dislodge puck  22  from pin  24  ordinarily is not needed, excepting for sandy and very loose soil.  
         [0031]     The embodiment in  FIG. 4 , depicts the device,  38 , composed of an upper elongate handle,  40 , overfitted with a padded sleeve,  42 , a lower magnetic puck,  42 , for insertion of a pin,  44 . Viewing  FIG. 5 , magnetic puck  42  is retained a pin,  46 , that inserts into shaft  40 . Shaft  40  has a transverse aperture,  48 , which mates with an aperture in pin  46  such that a retaining pin,  50 , inserted into aperture  48  and through pin  46  holds puck  42  securely to shaft  40  of device  38 . As presently designed, the magnet,  52 , housed within puck  42  is about 2.5″ in diameter and about 0.5″ in thickness. The height of puck  42  and pin  46  is about 3.5″ and shaft/handle  40  is about 45″ in length.  
         [0032]     In  FIG. 6 , a magnet puck,  54 , bears shaft  46 , which has been joined by a threaded end. Such construction enables the bottom end of shaft/handle  40  bear directly upon the puck case so that puck  46  can bear more applied force (weight) for superior performance.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a lower bearing ring,  66 , is mated with the pins for their insertion into the ground. Interiorly in puck  54 , an aperture is formed in a funnel or tapered configuration for a similarly shaped pin,  56 , to be inserted into such aperture. While pin  56  can touch upper an upper ring,  68 , of magnetic puck  54 , lower ring  66  is spaced apart from pin  56  in order to create extra magnetic edges or poles, which increases the magnetic strength of puck  54  for retaining pins and inserting pins into the ground.  
         [0034]     Additional pin configurations are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Pins  70  and  72  are not made of metal and are not magnetic. Pin  70  is made from a plastic material, usually a scrap plastic of low value. Inserted into its head,  74 , is a metal ring, such as a metal annulus or washer,  76 , which enables the magnetic pucks to pick up and retain pin  70  for its insertion into the ground. A single barbed shaft,  78 , completes pin  70 .  
         [0035]     Pin  72  in  FIG. 9  can made from biodegradable material, such as biodegradable cornstarch or the like. Pin  72  has a pair of barbed legs,  80  and  82 . A head,  84 , has metallic coating,  86 , applied thereto. Coating  86  can contain iron oxide, iron filings, or other metal (metal oxide) material that is attracted to a magnet of the magnetic pucks. Other techniques for making plastic pins have “magnetic” heads for being picked up by the magnetic pucks will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure set forth herein.  
         [0036]     Another prevalent pin for attaching waterway matting to the ground are elongate staples, such as staple  88  in  FIG. 10 . By altering the design of the magnetic puck, the inventive insertion units can pick up staples and insert them into the ground. An insertion device,  90 , is formed like the device in  FIG. 6 , including the magnetic puck. In this staple embodiment, however, a pair of spaced-apart non-magnetic shims (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel),  92  and  94 , have been affixed to the lower bearing ring,  94 , to leave a valley having a width only slightly wider than the width of the head of staple  88 . The depth of the valley is greater than the height of the head of staple  88 . Staple  88  now will easily and firmly be retained in the formed valley. Shims  92  and  94  can be the same thickness, but preferably one of them will be slightly thicker than the other one in order to enhance the urging of staple  88  into the valley formed therebetween.  
         [0037]     Yet another unique pin design is depicted in  FIG. 13 . A pin,  96 , has a pair of ostensibly parallel legs,  98  and  100 , connected by a “head”,  102 , formed in the shape of a “V”. Pin  96  can be formed of magnetic metal, such as wire like pin  26  ( FIG. 2 ) and staple  88  ( FIG. 10 ). V head  102  can be captured or held by the magnetic puck assembly (e.g., magnetic puck  22  ( FIG. 1 ),  42  ( FIG. 4 ),  54  ( FIG. 6 )). Obviously other shapes of head  102  can be envisioned, but the simple V in  FIG. 13  economizes on material.  
         [0038]     It also is possible to place a non-magnetic wedge atop the magnetic puck in order to further hold pin  96  in place. Such modified puck is illustrated in  FIG. 14 , where a magnetic puck assembly,  110 , is constructed as hereinbefore described. Sitting atop puck  110  is a non-magnetic wedge,  112 , like non-magnetic shims  92  and  94  of  FIG. 11 . Non-magnetic wedge  112 , however, is configured to receive head  102  to further ensure it being stably captured by the magnetic puck. The shape of non-magnetic wedge  110  can be such that it conforms to any shape head of the shape.  
         [0039]     Any of the applications discussed in the background section can benefit from use of the pins, as inserted using the magnetic puck disclosed herein, including, inter alia, sod, geosynthetic materials (such as used in the construction trade), waterway mattes, any plastic webbing, enhanced vapor, or greenway matting, or the like. There is virtually no limitation to the use of disclosed pins for ground insertion applications in accordance with the precepts of the present invention.  
         [0040]     Certain puck components, including the non-magnetic shims or wedges, may benefit from the application of a hardfacing, including organic, inorganic, ceramic, and metallic materials, in order to extend the useful life of the magnetic pucks and their (magnetic and non-magnetic) components.  
         [0041]     Additionally, while use of a hand-graspable handle is a relatively easy and facile method for ground insertion of pins, it also is conceivable to attached the magnetic puck assemblies to a machine (electric, pneumatic, hydraulic) for “automatic” or power insertion of pins into the ground. So long as the puck assembly as disclosed herein and corresponding “magnetic” pins are used in combination, the motive power used for insertion of the pins (human power, electric power, gasoline/diesel fuel power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, etc.) is up to the installer and does not form a limitation of the present invention.  
         [0042]     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.