Patent ID: 8360293

Claim:
A method for inserting an anchoring pin into a penetrable surface, which comprises the steps of: (A) providing a pin insertion device, which comprises: (1) a graspable elongate handle having an upper end and a lower end; and (2) a magnetic puck assembly attached to said handle lower end, said magnetic puck assembly configured for picking up one or more anchoring pins with at least a metallic pin head and maintaining it in an insertion position until the pin is inserted into the ground, the magnetic puck assembly further comprising (i) an upper magnetic mounting ring having a central aperture; (ii) a lower magnetic bearing ring having a central aperture and an outer bearing surface; (iii) an annular magnet sandwiched between said upper magnetic mounting ring and said lower magnetic bearing ring, and having a central aperture; and (iv) a magnetic tapered pin inserted within all of said central apertures, being in contact with said upper magnetic mounting ring, and having an attachment end and a bearing end, said magnetic tapered pin bearing end and said lower magnetic bearing ring outer bearing surface forming a planar surface, said magnetic tapered pin bearing end and said lower magnetic bearing ring outer bearing surface being spaced apart at said planar surface, said planar surface for retaining said metallic pin head for its insertion into the penetrable surface; (B) picking up said anchoring pin with said device; (C) thrusting said anchoring pin into the penetrable surface with said device; (D) withdrawing said device, leaving the anchoring pin embedded in the surface.