Patent Publication Number: US-11377809-B2

Title: Bail-actuated multi-faceted staking system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to ground staking systems. The present invention more particularly relates to stake securing systems with lever action removal. 
     2. Description of Related Prior Art 
     Various staking systems are well known in the art to secure items into the ground. For instance, a stake is driven through a loop, grommet, or washer, to secure a tarp, tent, or other item, into a ground surface. Staking systems have been used including, simple straight stakes, and well as more complicated piercing shafts that include a head or other removal feature at the top end. Methods for direct removal of stakes suffer the problem of requiring a directed force, often equivalent to the force required to drive the stake into the ground. Alternative stake heads may be used, however, complicated and heavy equipment may be required to provide lever action removal. In addition, large levered stake removal systems may cause tripping hazards. 
     It is also well known that ground surfaces may not be contoured with simply flat planes. The angle required to secure a tent, or other feature, e.g. rope, may also require forces that are not perpendicular to the ground surface. For instance, when staking a large overhead tent with a rope at seventy-five degrees (75°) from the ground surface, a stake driven directly perpendicular to ground surface may prematurely be pulled out of the ground. Some have compensated by driving stakes at a set angle into the ground, however, the lack of a secure base may still result in the stake pulling out of the ground. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stake unit system that allows for a variety of anchoring angles. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for a fulcrum-based lever action removal option in a staking system. 
     It is a further object of the present invention is to provide a low-profile staking system. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be clarified in the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a stake system for securing items into a ground, or flooring, surface. A support will have at least one hole, channel otherwise aperture extending through the support from the top to the bottom. The support may have two or more parts (if not a uniform body) wherein the upper and lower allow the channel(s) to continue therethrough. The upper and lower may be joined via complementary dovetails, adhesive, etc. A stake, with a shaft somewhat narrower than the channel will be thrust, hammered, screwed, or otherwise forced through the support from the top to the bottom, the point of the stake mating and piercing the ground surface. The top of the stake may have a head that is sized slightly larger than the opening of the channel in the support to allow removal of the stake by pulling up on the support. The support may have one or more faces, each face oriented at a specific angle (preferably at least 5 degrees different from one another). Each face preferably has a perpendicular channel. The channel may intersect, but preferably are separate within the support. Three faces are preferred with a center face parallel to the ground, and first face offset by fifteen degrees, and a third face off by thirty degrees, each of the two offset faces mating at an edge with the center face. 
     To remove the support, a bail may be mounted into the support at a hinge point. Preferably the bail can be rotated from one side to the other over the face(s) of the support. The bail may be curved wire with hook end(s), a simple loop, or otherwise. The bail may be set flat at one or both sides, and held in place by nubs off the sides of the support. 
     A puller, a stick, handle, or otherwise, can be used to remove the device. The puller is set through the bail and anchored at the ground/floor opposite the near end. The far end, into the ground allow lifting force. Lever action is created as the near end can be lifted, forcing the puller to rotate around the bail (as a fulcrum) forcing the support upwards. As the support rises, the stake head is caught/held by support and the stake is lifted out of the ground. As the stake is lifted, the user may orient the puller, to draw in or out of the bail as may be necessary to adjust the orientation and length of each side of the bailed lever. Before removal, the support may be rotated in parallel (or near parallel) with the ground surface to allow the bail to rise in another direction. The near end of the puller may include a handle. Puller near end may include a cap and aperture system. 
     The present invention also includes a method for staking and removing the take form the ground. The support is set onto the ground surface, and a stake is driven through a channel in the support into the ground. The tip of the stake enters the ground, and a top head of the stake may be anchored at the support face. A bail may be included or mounted on to the support, so that a puller may be used to pull out the support/stake. The puller is fed through the bail and anchored on the ground causing lever action when the near end of the puller is pulled upwards. As the stake and support are partially lifted, the puller may be adjusted and the location of the anchoring of the far end may be repositioned to get a better angle. Prior to removal, the support may be turned along the ground surface to allow a better attack angle (and not force one to anchor the far end into something unwanted). The support may be used again and again for future staking sites. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the stake unit system before application to a standard ground-based application. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the stake unit system being applied to a ground surface. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the stake unit system installed in a ground and attached to a cord. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a frontal view rotated ninety degrees (90°) from  FIG. 3  illustrating the stake unit system applied to a ground surface and attached to a cord. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the stake unit applied over a tarp on a ground surface. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the stake unit applied to the ground surface of  FIG. 5  wherein the stake unit is rotated ninety degrees (90°). 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of the stake unit applied to the ground with a puller applied through the bail. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the stake unit applied to the ground with a user operating the puller as a lever against the bail. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the user applying the puller to partially remove the stake unit from the ground surface. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the puller bar. 
         FIG. 11  demonstrates three embodiments of the present invention applied to secure a tent. 
         FIG. 12  demonstrates four embodiments of the present invention applied to secure a tent. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a close-up top view of the support with bail attached. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top perspective view of the stake unit. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top perspective view of the stake unit of  FIG. 12  with the bail rotated 180°. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of a bail unit. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a top perspective view of the support without a bail. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a rear perspective view of the support of  FIG. 15  rotated 180°. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of the support. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a perspective view of the support of  FIG. 17  rotated 180°. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a top rear perspective view of the upper of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a rear top perspective view of an upper of  FIG. 19  rotated 180° r  FIG. 23  illustrates a lower perspective view of the upper. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to a variety of staking systems, preferably those allowing a variety of staking angles. The present invention also includes variable lever action removal systems. In some embodiments of the present invention, a multi-faceted, or more preferably a three-faceted, support may be used to provide a multitude of angles for staking. The multiple faces, each providing a separate approach angle, allow for selection of an appropriate staking angle to accommodate various attachments, such as tarps, tents, ropes, etc. on both even or uneven ground surfaces. The unit preferably includes a rounded base to allow for rotation around a driven stake, to allow lever-action removal at an appropriate bail orientation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , stake unit  1  includes a support  2  acting as a washer or grommet in prior art staking systems. Support  2  includes upper  4  and lower  6 . Bail  8  is preferably attached along upper  4 , and secured into upper  4  at hinge points  50 . Hinge points  50  allow bail  8  to rotate relative support  2 . Nubs  55  may be included to secure bail in a down position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Stake unit  1  may be employed over a ground surface  16  such as over a grommet  17  along an edge of a tarp  18 . Stake  10 , having standard flat head  92 , shaft  90 , and point  94 , can be driven through one of a selection of guides  12  through support  2  and through grommet (in this embodiment) to secure support and tarp into the ground. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a side view of the support with stake partially hammered, or otherwise forced, into ground surface  16  in a perpendicular/vertical fashion, e.g. stake  10  is set through central upper guide  47  (see  FIG. 11 , etc. below). Bail  8  is set down at a direct horizontal position and secured via forward nub  52  (as opposed to rear nub  54 ). Upper  4  and lower  6  are secured to one another. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , support  2  may be used to secure tent rope  19 , or cord, wrapped around bail  8  at peak  82 . Fixing stake into ground will secure support  2  onto ground surface via stake head  92  (preferably slightly larger than guide  12  opening diameter). Engaged bail  8  defines a bail axis  111  in line with cord  19 . Bail axis  111  corresponds to rope the angle of the rope being drawn via longitudinal force to secure some item, such as an overhead tent, or otherwise. Stake may be driven through rear steep guide  48  to provide a near ninety degrees (90°) angle of stake relative bail axis  111  to provide maximum security of support against ground  16  (See  FIG. 3 ). When removal of staking system is required, upon removing support  2  from ground  16 , it may become necessary to rotate support ninety degrees (90°) to provide an optimal angle for a puller or stick for lever action removal (See  FIGS. 4, 6 , etc.). As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , support is rotated ninety degrees (90°) such that rope angle along rope axis  113  is now perpendicular bail axis, and rope fits along bail  8  somewhere other than peak  82 , such as side  83 . 
     Similarly, when securing a tarp to the ground via a grommet, as shown in  FIG. 5 , center guide  47  may be used to secure stake  10  through support  2  into the ground. As shown in  FIG. 6 , bail  8  may be used as a handle to rotate support ninety degrees (90°) to allow for lever action removal wherein the user does not have to stand on the tarp or use a portion of the tarp in lever action for removal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a secured support  2  into ground surface  16  may be removed via puller  100  placed through bail and affixed to ground surface at point  108  along ground. Puller  100  may be a shaft, pole, tube, cylinder, stick, or otherwise that can provide lever action, whereby a fulcrum is provided along bail  8  at bail peak  82  against a surface  16  of puller  100 . Fulcrum acts to allow load point on ground  108  a distance from fulcrum  96  so that a class one lever is provided. By forcing near end  103  forward, far end  105  is forced backwards and held in place by ground surface thereby causing a translation of forces into a vertical vector that pulls support out of ground. 
     As shown in action in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a user may hold near end  103  to provide lever action over fulcrum % whereas far end  105  is placed along load point  108  on ground surface  16 . Fulcrum  96  is shown at anchor point  98  (on ground) in  FIG. 8  and anchor point  99  (on ground) in  FIG. 9 . As lever action translates into vertical vector force lifting support  2  directly up off of ground surface  16 , stake  10  is exposed. An alternative angle of attack may be required whereby puller can be forced through bail to modify load arm and effort arm in this class one lever system. In this manner, one may adjust the length of the puller stick to allow for continuously modifiable levers in an ergonomic fashion as the user prefers. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the puller of an embodiment of the present invention. Puller is preferably a long cylindrical pull or pipe. In some embodiments, puller may be hollow, such as a tube, and in other embodiments, puller may be a solid cylinder. In other preferred embodiments, puller may include an exterior tubing filled with a solid interior tubing, such as PVC plastic over wood dowel. Cap  102  is provided at near end  103 , and cap includes tab  104  with aperture  106 . Aperture  106  allows for puller to be hung on a protruding hook, or pin, for storage or display. Cap is preferably a soft material, such as silicone or rubber, but may be made of a solid hard material such as plastic or metal or wood, etc. In alternative embodiments, puller cap  102  may be in the form of an ergonomic handle. 
     Stake  10  may include shaft  90  with head  92  on a top side and point  94  opposite head. Point is preferably sharpened to allow for penetrating ground or floor surfaces. Head  92  is preferably a flat flanged head, wherein the shaft  90  of stake  10  is at least somewhat narrower than guides  12  in support to allow stake to pass through guides. However, it is preferable that stake head  92  includes a flat surface that is wider than guides, yet not too wide so as to inhibit movement of bail. Bail  8  preferably can rotate at least one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°) from a first forward down position to a second rear down position. Preferably, support includes a low profile when bail is set at a forward or rear low position to prevent tripping hazards. In some embodiments, bail may be rotatable 190°-240° to allow bail to sit on ground surface. 
       FIGS. 11-12  demonstrate supports with bails engaged were appropriate with various tents  350  while mounted onto ground surface  16 . Supports  2  are mounted into the ground via stakes. As shown in  FIG. 11 , supports  302  may engage flaps  301 , by driving stakes  10  through supports  302  and through apertures in flaps  301 . Additionally, bails  308  may engage support loops  303  from tent  350  or tent canopy  351 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , distance supports  202  may be engaged at a distance from the tents by tying bales  208  to tent canopy strings  203  or rain guards. Closer supports  302  engage flaps  301 , and may include the stake  10  set through support  2  and through aperture in flaps  301 . As shown, closer supports can be rotated so that bales  8  are set perpendicular to the edges  353  of the tents to allow for ease of removal. Alternatively, the supports may be rotated for removal. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13-15 and 17-18 , support  2  includes upper  4  and lower  6 . Bail  8  may be affixed around upper or pinched between upper and lower. Nubs  55  may include a set of forward nubs  52  and rear nubs  54  to allow for securing bail against lower. Preferably, bail  8  is snug against sides  41  of upper  40 . Upper  40  includes sides  41  and multi-faceted top  42 . Upper guides  46  include a center guide  47  as well as forward shallow guide  49  and rear steep guide  48 . In preferred embodiments, a variety of angles may be formed as between flat, shallow, and steep guides, with preferred angles including a flat zero-degree guide, a shallow guide at fifteen degrees (15°), and a steep guide at thirty degrees (30°). In alternative embodiments, all guides may be offset from ground surface. In further alternative embodiments, shallow guides may be set between 5°-45°, while steep guides may be set between 15°-75° as may be needed for this specific use. As shown in  FIG. 11 , upper  4  may include draft edges  75 , and guides  46  may include drafted holes  76  to allow for molding process (as shown). As shown in  FIG. 14 , bail  8  may include turned ends  80  to allow for fitting into support  2  (not shown). Bail  8  preferably includes peak  82 , and sides  83 , and is most preferably made of a spring steel material. Furthermore, hooks  84  may be included to secure bail into support, such as upper to avoid removal of bail when upper and lower are affixed to one another. Alternatively, a cord, or loop as otherwise known in the art, of spring steel woven cord, steel rope, cable, or otherwise, may be used as bail. In such embodiments, bail will not include hooks but will include a continuous loop. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , lower  6  is shown. Isolated lower  20  is shown. Isolated lower  20  acts as base  22  for an upper mounted thereupon. Top  28  supports upper (not shown). Isolated lower  20  includes a circumferential edge at base  22  to allow for ease of rotation, preferably in a circular disk body. Sides  26  preferably include recessed dovetail guides  24  to allow upper to slide therethrough. Isolated lower  20  also includes lower guides  32 , including center  33 , as well as steep rear guide  34  and shallow forward guide  35 , wherein guides serve as apertures with an angle oriented in parallel to guides in uppers. Edge stopper  36  is presented to allow upper to enter rear dovetail, slide through dovetail, and stop at edge stopper  36 . Ridge  38  is supplied to compliment upper and provide for snap fitting. Upper and lower may be provided in a single unitary body, wherein the bail (preferably as a single loop) is molded within support body. Alternatively, upper and lower may be manufactured separately and glued or melted together after inclusion of bail between upper and lower. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , upper  4  includes isolated upper  40 . Isolated upper  40  includes sides  41 , and multi-faceted top  42 . Isolated upper  40  includes upper guides  46  including central guide  47 , rear steep guide  48  and forward shallow guide  49 . As shown, center guide is flat, whereas steep guide is set at thirty degrees and shallow guide is set at fifteen degrees off horizontal plane. Each of the guides is set perpendicular to relative top surface, such as central top surface  42 A, rear surface  42 B, and forward surface  42 C. It is contemplated that guides mate at ninety degrees and serve as apertures bored through upper. Nubs  55  include forward nubs  52  and rear nubs  54 . Hinge point  50  provides channels  64  to allow bail therethrough. Preferably channels  64  include an open end  65  to allow to affix bail into upper. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22-23 , bottom  44  of isolated upper  40  is shown. Side  41  is shown along with top surface  42  including central top  42 A, rear top  42 B, and forward top  42 C surfaces. Forward end  61  of isolated upper  40  is shown. Forward end may be affixed onto lower and slid into place. Clip recess  62  is shown with leading extending end  62 A to mate with edge stopper and ridge of lower. Upper guides  46  are shown as apertures bored entirely through upper (similar to lower). Channels  64  are provided in sides  41  of isolated upper  40  and channels  64  extend into wells  63 . Wells  63  allow for rotation of bail with hooks around and within upper. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described with various embodiments, the invention extends to further embodiments such as a two or four, etc. faced system. Additionally, a five-faced system with faces angled along the two sides with additional angled entry is considered wherein the aperture channels of the varied faces may intersect within the support. Further, multiple faces may include two or more faces in the same plane to allow for dual (or further) stakes mounted in the ground at the same angle.