Abstract:
An anchor spike and a method of using it with landscape edging are provided. The anchor spike has a novel feature that causes the anchor spike to have a changing angle of entry as it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material. The anchor spike is comprised of an elongate shaft, a head located at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. The method of using the anchor spike to secure landscape edging to the ground includes arranging a landscape edging strip having a plurality of apertures in a desire location on the ground, providing the anchor spike, aligning the tip section of the anchor spike with an aperture on the landscape edging strip and driving the anchor spike into the ground.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/686,408, filed May 4, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    a. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The instant invention relates to anchor spikes for use in landscape edging applications. In particular, the instant invention relates to a directional anchor spike for securing landscape edging holding landscaping and/or paving materials in place. Even more particular, the instant invention relates to a novel directional anchor spike that more securely holds landscape edging against landscaping and/or paving material when driven into the ground. 
         [0004]    b. Background Art 
         [0005]    Landscape edging has been used in many different landscaping applications in which landscape materials and paving are held in place. One common type of landscape edging consists of elongated strips that are installed along the surface of the ground to create a vertical barrier that can act as a retention and/or a separation of beds of earth or other landscaping fill (i.e., gravel, decorative rock, bark, dirt, sand, mulch, etc.) or the retention of paving materials such as bricks, paving stones, rock, gravel, etc. Edging strips are available in numerous shapes and styles, with many different feature options, and are formed from various types of materials, including, for instance, ridged or semi-ridged plastics or metals. 
         [0006]    A very common type of landscape edging system is comprised of an edging strip having at least an L-shape cross-section. In other words, the edging strip has at least one horizontal portion intended to be in contact with the ground and at least one vertical portion that acts as a barrier to landscaping fill or as a retention piece for paving materials. The horizontal portion typically contains apertures at predetermined intervals for anchor spikes or other fasteners that are used to secure the edging strip to the ground. The edging strip could also have a reversed T-shaped cross section or even a cross-shaped cross section. Both alternatives, however, have a horizontal portion intended to be in contact with and pinned to the ground by an anchor spike and the vertical portion that acts as a barrier or retention of landscaping material. Examples of conventional landscape edging strips are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,917, U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,343, U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,941, U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,546, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,038 and United States patent publication US 2008/0163566 A1. 
         [0007]    While some edging strips are supplied with anchor nails or spikes designed to fit pre-formed apertures on the horizontal portion, most contain standard circular apertures sized to accommodate a standard sized anchor spike. For example, landscape edging strips used to retain pavers are supplied by many different manufacturers with ⅜″ diameter apertures for anchor spikes. Likewise, multiple manufacturers supply anchor spikes having a diameter of 9 mm. The use of standard aperture and anchor spike diameters allows for the components to be interchangeable between manufacturers. Typically anchor spikes have a cylindrical shape, come in various lengths and have a central tip point at one end and a head at the other end. When driven into the ground, the head of the anchor spike is intended to pin the edging firmly against the ground. 
         [0008]    One problem with many basic types of landscape edging, especially those used for the retention of pavers, is the inability to install the edging strip tightly against the outer edge of the pavers being retained. In a typical arrangement for a sidewalk using paver bricks, for example, a gravel base is laid on the path for the sidewalk to a depth between 6-12 inches. The base is about 3-6 inches wider on both sides than width of the planned sidewalk. On top of the gravel base is a smaller layer of fine-grade sand extending about the width of the sidewalk, upon which the paver bricks are arranged. The landscape edging is installed on top of the gravel base and against the paver bricks on both sides for the length of the sidewalk. It is not uncommon that the loose gravel from the base or excess sand gets in between the edging strip and the paver bricks, thus preventing the edging from being flush against the paver bricks. 
         [0009]    Another problem associated with conventional landscape edging systems is related to the use of the standard cylindrical anchor spikes described above. Standard anchor spikes have a pointed tip at one end formed by chamfering the cylinder on four sides, essentially resulting in a pyramid shape. While installers typically attempt to drive the anchor spikes straight into the ground, the design of the tip can cause it to deflect from that path if it comes into contact with a hard item in the ground. Further, the four-sided nature of the point means that the direction of any deflection is dependent on which side of the tip comes into contact with the hard item in the ground. Installers thus have little control over the direction of the spike as it being driven into the ground. Additionally, a deflection of the spike can cause it to push against the edging strip and move it away from landscaping material sought to be retained. This problem is especially acute with edging used to retain pavers because the anchor spikes are usually driven into the gravel base. Furthermore, because the typical aperture size is larger than the typical anchor spike diameter (by more than 0.5 mm), the aperture cannot sufficiently restrain lateral movement of the anchor spike as it is being driven into the ground. 
         [0010]    Over time, the landscape edging will be subjected to forces that will work against the edging&#39;s ability to retain the landscaping material or pavers in place. For example, in the case of pavers or gravel, the retained material may be walked on which may cause lateral forces to push the edging outward. Likewise, soil beds or other material may become water logged in heaving rains, causing similar lateral forces to act against the edging. The edging itself may be walked on, kicked or run over by lawn equipment. In winter climates, frost heave, or the freezing and thawing of the earth below and around the edging can be an even greater force acting against the landscape edging. 
         [0011]    The freeze/thaw cycle further can cause the anchor spike to rise in the ground as well, ultimately resulting in the head of the anchor spike separating from the landscape edging. The result is that the edging becomes loose, making it susceptible to lateral movement when subjected to the lateral forces of the landscaping material or pavers. The landscape edging thus pulls away from the landscaping material or pavers, causing erosion of the material or movement of the pavers. In the case of pavers, movement of the pavers at the edging may cause the inner pavers to move as well, potentially resulting in the need for an entire installation of a sidewalk, patio or the like to be redone. 
         [0012]    Various attempts have been made in the prior art to address the above problems with common landscape edging secured with anchor spikes. At the field level, installers have attempted to drive the anchor spikes into the ground at an angle. This creates further problems, however, regardless of which way the angle of entry is for the anchor spike. First, if the anchor spike is arranged with the direction of entry going away from the paver bricks, for example, then the anchor spike will tend to force the edging strip in that direction while it is being driven into the ground, causing the edging strip to pull away from the pavers. In some cases, driving the anchor spike at an angle towards the pavers may initially move the edging strip tighter against the paver bricks, but as the anchor spike gets closer to the horizontal portion of the edging strip, the striking angle cannot be maintained and the final strikes of the anchor spike cause the edging strip to pull away from the pavers. 
         [0013]    Other prior attempts to address the problems described above have involved new designs for edging strips, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,934, or designs involving an integrated edging strip and anchor spike, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,290. Others have developed systems having interlocking edging sections rather than edging strips, as disclosed in United States patent application publication no US 2010/0293871 A1. These solutions all require the use of non-conventional edging strips, leading to a more costly installation than is possible with conventional systems. Other solutions have involved the use of anchor spikes with barbs or other protrusions intended to prevent the anchor spike from being pushed out of the ground by frost heave. This solution, however, would require edging strips with apertures sized to accommodate the protrusions on the anchor spikes, such as disclosed in United States patent application publication no US 2008/0163566 A1. This solution too would result in a costlier installation than one where conventional edging strips are used. 
         [0014]    Thus, there remains a need to address the problems described above in a simple, cost effective manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In various embodiments, an anchor spike for a landscape edging system can be provided, wherein the anchor spike is configured to cause a landscape edging strip to be installed tighter against retained landscaping material and to provide greater long-term stability to the landscape edging system. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, an anchor spike for use with landscape edging is provided, wherein the anchor spike comprises an elongate shaft, a head located at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. In various embodiments, the length of the tip section is between about 10% and about 30% of the length of the elongate shaft and in other embodiments the length of the tip section is between about 15% and about 25% of the length of the elongate shaft. In still further embodiments, the length of the tip section is about 20% of the length of the elongate shaft. The angle between the elongate shaft and the tip section is, in some embodiments, between 10° and 25°. In other embodiments, the angle is about 15°. The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, an anchor spike for use with landscape edging comprises an elongate shaft having a circular cross-section, a head located at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. In some embodiments, the tip section transitions from a circular cross-section to a substantially flat cross-section. The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation. 
         [0018]    An anchor spike for use with landscape edging of another embodiment comprises an elongate shaft, a head located at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. In an embodiment, the tip section has a blade edge formed by two chamfered sides. In a further embodiment, the tip section has a blade edge formed by two beveled sides. The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation. 
         [0019]    Another embodiment of an anchor spike for use with landscape edging comprises an elongate shaft having a substantially flat cross-section, a head located at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation. 
         [0020]    Still another embodiment of an anchor spike for use with landscape edging comprises two elongate shafts arranged substantially parallel with each other. Both elongate shafts have a tip section located at one end, each tip section arranged at an angle to the respective elongate shaft. A connecting section is attached to both elongate shafts at the ends opposite the tip sections and is configured to cause both elongate shafts to be driven into the ground when struck with a hammer or similar tool. In an embodiment, the connecting section is U-shaped. The angled tip sections cause the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation. 
         [0021]    A method of securing a landscape edging strip in the ground using an anchor spike of any of the embodiments contemplated herein is also provided. The method comprises the steps of arranging in a desired position on the ground a landscape edging strip having a plurality of apertures for anchor spikes, providing at least one anchor spike comprising an elongate shaft with a head located at a first end and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft, the tip section being arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft, aligning the tip section of the at least one anchor spike with an aperture on the landscape edging and driving the anchor spike into the ground. 
         [0022]    The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an anchor spike for landscape edging according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the anchor spike of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the cross-section of the tip from  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a representation of a typical installation of a landscape edging system for retaining brick pavers using a prior art anchor spike. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a representations of the typical landscape edging system installation of  FIG. 5A  after a period of time. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 6A-6F  are a series of representations of a typical landscape edge system for retaining paver bricks using an anchor spike according to one embodiment of the invention, shown at different stages of the installation of the anchor spike. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a prospective view of an anchor spike according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a prospective view of an anchor spike according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Various embodiments are described herein to various apparatuses. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims. 
         [0033]    Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. 
         [0034]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify the same or substantially similar components in the various views,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a side view and a top view, respectively, of an anchor spike  10  for landscape edging systems according to one embodiment of the subject invention. The anchor spike  10  has a shaft  15 , a head  20  at one end and a tip section  25  at the other end. The shaft  15  is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter d. A common diameter for anchor spikes in general is 9 mm, but the instant invention is not so limited and both larger and smaller diameters are contemplated. The head  20  is shown as a flat head but other shapes are possible and the invention should not be considered to be limited to the shape and size shown for head  20 . 
         [0035]    As more clearly seen in  FIG. 3 , which is a cross-sectional view of the anchor spike  10  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , the tip section  25  is oriented at an angle α with respect to the outer surface of the shaft  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α is about 15°, but in other embodiments the angle may be at least 5° and as much as 30°. Also in the embodiment shown, the transition between the shaft  15  and the tip section  25  is rounded, with the outer edge of the transition having a radius of curvature of r 1  while the inner edge has a radius of curvature r 2  that is greater than r 1 . The ratio r 2 /r 1  is about 1.5 in the embodiment, but other embodiments having different ratios are possible and contemplated. In still further embodiments, the transition between the shaft  15  and the tip section  25  may not be rounded. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the length of the tip section  25  is substantially less than the length of the shaft  15 . In some embodiments, the tip section  25  has a length between 10% and 30% of the length of the shaft  15 . Preferably, the length of the tip section  25  is between 15% and 25% of the length of the shaft  15 , and most preferably, the length of the tip section  25  is about 20% of the length of the shaft  15 . It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the dimensions and ratios listed, however. For example, it is contemplated that certain installations may be suitable an atypically long anchor spike  10 , in which case the tip section  25  may have a length less than 10% of the length of the shaft  15 . Likewise, it is also contemplated that a very short anchor spike  10  may be desired, in which case the tip section  25  may have a length greater than 30% of the length of the shaft  15 . 
         [0037]    The tip section  25  consists of a transition portion  30 , a tapered portion  35  and a nose portion  40 . One end of the transition portion  30  has a circular cross-section and is connected to the shaft  15 . The transition portion  30  gradually transitions to a substantially flat cross section at the opposite end, where it has a width greater than the diameter of the shaft  15  and a height less than the diameter of the shaft  15 . The tapered portion  35  is connected to the transition portion  30  at one end where the width of the tapered portion  35  is substantially the same as the width of the transition portion  30 . At the opposite end, the tapered portion  35  is connected to the nose portion  40 , where it has a width approximately equal to the diameter of the shaft  15 . In the embodiment shown, the tapered portion  35  is substantially the same height from the transition portion  30  to the nose portion  40 , but in other embodiments the tapered portion  35  may have a smaller height at the nose portion  40  than it has at the transition portion  30 . 
         [0038]    The nose portion  40  is tapered in both height and width from the tapered portion  35  to a blade edge  45  at the outermost end of the anchor spike  10 . The width of the nose portion  40 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , is somewhat smaller at the blade edge  45  than at the tapered portion  35 . In other embodiments the nose portion  40  can have a substantially constant width across its length.  FIG. 4  shows a detailed view of the nose portion  40  shown in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, the nose portion  40  is chamfered on two sides between the tapered portion  35  and the blade edge  45 . A plane parallel to one chamfered surface of the nose portion forms the angle β with a plane parallel to the other chamfered surface on the nose portion  40 . In the embodiment illustrated, the angle β is between 30° and 35°, but other angles are also contemplated. 
         [0039]    The blade edge  45  has a height t 1 , which is less than the height of the tapered portion  35 . As depicted, the height t 1  of the blade edge  45  is greater than 0 mm, thus creating a blunt surface on the blade edge  45 . In another embodiment, the nose portion  40  can be beveled on two sides between the tapered portion  35  and the blade edge  45 , causing the height t 1  to be substantially 0 mm, thus creating a point at the blade edge  45  across its width. 
         [0040]    The methods of using a directional anchor spike of any of the above embodiments and the benefits that may be achieved will now be described. First, to provide some additional context, some of the problems that may arise with prior art landscape edging and anchor spikes will be explained.  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B are cross-sectional representations of one edge of a simple installation of a landscape edging system  800  for retaining paver bricks. The installation  800  may be for a sidewalk, driveway, patio or walkway, for example. In the installation  800  there is a gravel base  810 , a layer of sand  820 , a landscape edging strip  830 , an anchor spike  840  and paver bricks  850 . In a complete installation there would also be filler sand to fill any gaps between the paver bricks  850 , but the filler sand is not shown in this representation. It should be understood that only one edge of the installation  800  is shown and that an edging strip is expected to be on at least a second edge to retain the paver bricks from the opposite lateral direction. In addition, while only two brick pavers  810  are shown, it is expected that additional brick pavers are present in the lateral direction in the installation  800 . 
         [0041]    The gravel base  810  can have a depth of between 6-12 inches, although other depths are possible as well. The gravel base  810  further extends about 6 to 12 inches wider than the edge of the paver bricks  850 . The edging strip  830  can be formed from a variety of materials, including, for instance, ridged or semi-ridged plastics or metals. As shown, the edging strip  830  has an L-shaped cross section and comprises a horizontal portion  832  and a vertical portion  834 . The horizontal portion  832  contains an aperture  836  designed to accommodate the anchor spike  840 . The anchor spike  840  can be formed from various materials, such as plastics and metals. A typical anchor spike  840  is formed of steal, and more typically, is formed from mild steel. The anchor spike  840  includes a head  842  at one end and a tip  844  at the other end. The diameter of the anchor spike  840  is slightly smaller than the diameter of the aperture  836  in the horizontal portion  832  of the edging strip  830 , while the diameter of the head  842  is larger than the diameter of the aperture  836  so that the head  842  can pin the horizontal portion  832  to the gravel base  810  when the head  842  is engaged with the horizontal portion  832 . 
         [0042]    As depicted in  FIG. 5A , the anchor spike  840  has been driven through the aperture  836  and into the gravel base  810 . One of the problems associated with common landscape edge systems is demonstrated by the gap  860  existing between the vertical portion  834  and the paver brick  850 . The vertical portion  834  was not in tight contact with the paver brick  850  before the anchor spike  840  was driven into the gravel base  810  due to the presence of sand  820 . And, because the anchor spike  840  was driven straight down in this example, it could not force the edging strip  830  closer to the paver brick  850 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5B  shows the same installation  800  of  FIG. 5A , but after a period of time. In the installation  800 ′, the paver bricks  850  have been subjected to environmental forces such as being walked on, which causes a lateral force  870  to be exerted upon the vertical portion  834  of the edging strip  830 . Meanwhile, frost heaving has caused a vertically upward force  872  to act against the horizontal portion  832  of the edging strip  830 , which in turn pushes the anchor spike  840  out of the ground. As the edging strip  830  becomes unpinned and looser, it is more susceptible to movement, as shown in  FIG. 5B . In the scenario depicted, the sand layer  820  has started to erode and the paver brick  850  nearest the edging strip  830  starts to become displaced. Resetting of at least some of the paver bricks  850  and the edging strip  830  will be required to repair the installation  800 ′. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6A-6F  illustrate the method and benefits of using the embodiment of an anchor spike  10  described above in a landscape edging system  100  for retaining paver bricks installation having many of the same components as the landscape edging system  800 . For example, landscape edging system  100  contains gravel base  810 , layer of sand  820 , landscape edging strip  830  and paver bricks  850 . The difference is that instead of the prior art anchor spike  840 , installation  100  includes the anchor spike  10  described above. In the method of use of the inventive anchor spike  10 , the anchor spike  10  is aligned with the aperture  836  in the edge strip  834  with the tip section  25  pointing down toward the ground and the shaft  15  at an angle away from the paver bricks  850 . 
         [0045]    To install from the position illustrated, the anchor spike  10  is first moved downward so that the blade edge  45  is in contact with the gravel base  810  through the aperture  836 . The head  20  is then struck by a hammer (not shown) or other similar tool and the anchor spike  10  is driven into the gravel base  810  until the head  20  comes to rest against the horizontal surface  832 . 
         [0046]    In  FIGS. 6B-6F , various positions of the anchor spike  10  while it is being driven into the gravel base  810  are shown. As can be seen through the figures, the angle of entry of the anchor spike  10  through the aperture  836  and into the gravel base  810  changes as the anchor spike  10  is being driven. After the initial strikes with a hammer, the angled tip section  25  causes the anchor spike  10  to straighten and become essentially vertical. With further strikes of a hammer, the anchor spike  10  starts to become angled at the aperture  836  in a direction toward the paver bricks  850 . With each successive strike, the tip section  25  causes the anchor spike  10  to be at a greater angle from perpendicular to the horizontal surface  832 . The anchor spike  10  also begins to engage the edges of the aperture  836  and, with each successive strike as it is driven further into the gravel base  810 , the anchor spike  10  pushes the edge strip  830  closer to the first paver brick  850  until the vertical surface  834  is tight against the paver brick  850 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6F . 
         [0047]    The tight relationship between the vertical surface  834  and the paver bricks  850  help to reduce the risk of erosion and loosening of the installation that can occur when a gap exists between the vertical surface  834  and the paver bricks  850 . Furthermore, frost heave will act upon the angled anchor spike  10  in an upward direction, which will not push the anchor spike  10  out of the aperture  836 , but rather will act to force the edging strip  830  even tighter against the paver bricks  850 . Thus, the anchor spike  10  will be less susceptible to become loose from the freeze-thaw cycle than an anchor spike  840  from the prior art. 
         [0048]    While the illustrated embodiments showed a typical installation of a landscape edging system for retaining paver bricks, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the anchor spike  10  may be used with and will be beneficial for many other types of landscape edging system installations. For example, the anchor spike  10  can be used with landscape edging that acts as a border between beds of different landscape materials, such as sod, mulch, gravel or the like. Furthermore, the anchor spike  10  may be beneficial in any type of application where a ground anchor that is more resistant to frost heave is desired. 
         [0049]    An anchor spike  200  according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the anchor spike  200  is comprised of two shafts  205 ,  210 , each having a tip section  208 ,  210  that is similar to the embodiments described above with respect to tip section  25 . At the other end of each shaft  205 ,  210 , instead of a head there is a connection section  215  that joins the two shafts  205 ,  210  together. The two shafts  205 ,  210  and connection section  215  can be formed of one piece of material, such as mild steal of other soft, semi-soft or hard metal or plastic, and can be cast, forged, extruded or machined. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  illustrates another anchor spike  300  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Here, anchor spike  300  consists of a shaft  305 , a head  310  and a tip section  315 . Anchor spike  300  differs from anchor spike  10  in that, at least in part, the shaft  305  has a substantially flat cross-section rather than a round cross section as in shaft  15  of anchor spike  10 . Tip section  315  is also similar to and has many of the same features as described for the embodiments of tip section  25  of anchor spike  10 . 
         [0051]    Although various embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. All directional references (e.g., upward, downward, top, bottom, inner, outer, vertical and horizontal) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.