Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the erosion control field, specifically to the installation of erosion control blankets which are laid over loose soil to aid in vegetation establishment. 
         [0002]    Erosion blankets are utilized to keep the soil and seed from eroding away during rainfall events. In addition to preventing erosion, these blankets retain significant moisture which enables the seed to germinate much more quickly than without blanket coverage. Erosion blankets are used for a variety of reasons, such as stabilizing large areas along roadsides, stabilizing areas around detention/retention ponds, establishing lawns for commercial and residential properties and restoring prairies. Erosion blankets are typically installed after a site has been fine graded and seeded. After the erosion blanket has been laid on the ground, staples must be manually driven through the blanket into the ground to keep the blanket in correct position. 
         [0003]    Despite the increased popularity of erosion control blankets there are very few tools to aid in the installation of these soil stabilizers. Without a special tool to install these devices it comes down to manual labor to unroll the netted blankets. This process usually involves two people bending down in a crawl-like position to push out the rolled up blankets which is hard on knees, backs, and especially difficult for older people. This unsafe process over time is a liability for employers who may have increased workers compensation claims after work related injuries. 
         [0004]    The manual operations dealing with the installation of erosion blankets significantly increase the cost of installing these soil securing devices. Therefore, there is a continuing significant need in the field of erosion prevention for improvements related to the installation of erosion blankets and for more efficient installation methods. An improved device and method achieving these goals would lead to better erosion protection, higher quality turf, cleaner bodies of water, and healthier erosion blanket installers. 
         [0005]    Prior known implements contain a very complex and expensive means of unrolling and affixing erosion blankets to the soil surface. Some are tractor drawn implements that mechanically unroll the blankets across a surface. These attachments leave many areas where a tractor is not suited to travel blanket-less. Many slopes that need erosion protection are too steep or rough for a machine drawn attachment to traverse. Also, with a complex machine there are many pieces to break or fail especially in uneven ground or steep terrain or on loose/soft soil. 
         [0006]    Also, on many applications there are trees, fences, signs, landscape objects, rocks, buildings, telephone poles, driveways, and other space limiting objects that make it nearly impossible for a tractor attachment to be completely successful. Again these mechanical devices are limited to the mobility of the machine leaving many areas to manual hand installation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    One aspect of the present invention includes a method for placing an erosion blanket on a surface with manual tool device including supporting a roll of the erosion blanket for rotation, manually pulling the device by human power and guiding the roll such that the erosion blanket unwinds upon an intended surface path. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a device for placing an erosion blanket on a surface including a set of telescoping tubes for blanket loading and unloading. A telescope locks to retain the erosion blanket while unrolling. A set of blanket end prongs engages and supports an erosion blanket. At least one handle is included for pulling the blanket by human power such that the erosion blanket unwinds and lies along an intended path. 
         [0009]    Several objectives and advantages are addressed by my invention, and they include 1) to install blankets on all soil surfaces, steep and non-steep by a simple and affordable means; 2) to eliminate most of the back-breaking bending over during installation by the manual hand method; 3) to provide a tool that is reliable with less parts prone to fail during an erosion blanket project; 4) to provide a tool that allows for installation in tight confined spaces and around objects in the landscape (trees, shrubs, rocks, signs, etc.); 5) to provide a tool that is affordable for all contractors to afford on the smallest of erosion blanket projects; 6) to help employers keep employees safe and healthy while completing their erosion blanket projects; 7) to provide a tool that saves time, labor, money, and human energy on all erosion blanket installation projects; 8) to provide a tool that allows for the user(s) to install blankets on rough terrain that a machine may not be able to access; and 9) to provide a method of installing an erosion blanket over a surface which minimizes the need for manual operations during installation. 
         [0010]    These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of the erosion blanket installation tool. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows the method of installing an erosion blanket. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A-3B  shows views of various blanket prong support ends such as smooth prongs, threaded prongs, and different size blanket guides. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a single person tow bar adapter for single person operation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A-5C  shows various locking mechanisms (pin, spring plunger, and detent button) to lock telescoping tubes and retain erosion blanket on blanket prong ends. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a view of the bearing housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0017]    A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a top view. The tool comprises of two telescoping tubes  16  and  18  that allow for blanket loading and support. These two tubes must support about 60 lbs of mass and may be made of metal or plastic. Small tube  16  comprises of a small reducing coupling  20  that is connected to one end. Affixed to the coupling is hook and loop fastener  44  for adjustable tow handle  26  storage. Also on tube  16  is a telescope lock  46  as shown in detail in  FIG. 5A-5C . Threaded into the end of coupling  20  is support arm  30 B consisting of a 90 degree bend and towline eyelet  24 B. Support arm  30 B preferred embodiment is constructed of steel to support weight of blanket  50 . Threaded into the end of arm  30 B is bearing housing  34 B which is shown in detail in  FIG. 6 . Out of bearing housing  34 B is blanket end prong  32 B that receives the end of blanket  50  at the center point. The blanket end prong  32  is tapered on the end for piercing the blanket  50  end. Blanket  50  rests against the blanket guide  36 B that is welded to prong  32 B for steering during blanket  50  installations. 
         [0018]    Large telescoping tube  18  fits snugly over tube  16 . One end of tube  18  is large reducing coupling  22  that is glued inside the tube. The other end of tube  18  is lock slot  52  that receives the telescope lock  46 . Threaded into coupler  22  is support arm  30 A. From this point all parts are same as the other side. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  explains the steps to the blanket  50  installation method. Step A begins by setting the erosion blanket into place with the roll facing the correct way for installation. The next task is to insert four staples  54  to fasten the blanket  50  to the surface. This acts as a barrier for the blanket  50  to be pulled against. Step B consists of each person guiding their blanket end prong  32  into the center of the blanket  50 . Each prong  32  must be inserted completely to the blanket guide  36 . Once both prongs  32  are in, the two users must align the telescoping tubes  16  and  18  for the telescope lock  46  and lock slot  52  to engage. Once locked into position, Step C consists of pulling the blanket  50  by hand to its intended destination by guiding it along the surface using the adjustable tow handles  26 . Once blanket  50  is rolled to the end the telescope lock  46  may be depressed and disengaged. The operators may slide the blanket end prongs  32  out from the blanket  50  and the method is repeated back at step A. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows various blanket end prong  32  and blanket guide  36  set ups.  FIG. 3A  describes a smooth end prong  32  with a large blanket guide  36 .  FIG. 3B  describes a threaded end prong  32  with smaller blanket guide  36 . Also shown on both  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are retainers that hold the end prong  32  and bearings  48  inside the bearing housing  34 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a single person tow bar  28  setup. This option is important for the single user to not only pull the erosion blanket  50  across the surface but also to steer the roll  50  along its intended path. The single operator simply unclips the adjustable tow straps  26  from the towline eyelets  24  and clips tow bar  28  into place. While pulling on the bar  28  to unroll the blanket  50 , the user walks backwards and steers by pulling at the correct end of the bar. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a spring plunger  56  that could be used as a type of telescope lock  46 .  FIG. 5B  is a detent button  60  that could be used as a type of telescope lock  46 .  FIG. 5C  is a pin  58  that could be used as a type of telescope lock  46 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows detail of bearing housing  34 . On the top of bearing housing  34  is a threaded opening that receives support arm  30 . The lower end is a machined shaft that receives the bearings  48 . One end of the shaft is enclosed by end cap  40  attached by a weld around the outside ring. On the opposite side is end cap with hole  42  attached by a weld around the outside ring. Blanket end prong  32  enters housing  34  through end cap  42  and slides through both bearings  48  and butts with end cap  40 . Blanket prong  32  is retained inside the housing by a set of retainers  38  that are attached to prong  32 . 
       Operation of Invention 
       [0024]    The manner of using the erosion blanket installer is very simple and fast. A blanket  50  is set on the ground at the desired starting point. The blanket  50  end is exposed and is stapled down for an anchor to pull against. The preferred embodiment operates with two people on each end of the installer. Each person holds on to their own support arm  30 . The person on the large tube  18  end depresses the telescope lock  46  releasing the tubes  16  and  18  to slide freely. Each person locates the center point of erosion blanket  50  end with the blanket end prong  32  and inserts it up to the blanket guide  36 . Once the telescope lock  46  is in place inside lock slot  52  the blanket is ready to be laid on the ground. Each person grabs their tow strap  26  and begins pulling the erosion blanket  50  to the desired direction. Once the blanket is unrolled to end the process is repeated. 
         [0025]    Accordingly, the reader will see how simple to use and effective this tool is for lessening the burden of installing erosion blankets. In addition, for smaller jobs and tight areas this tool is currently the only option for aiding in blanket installation. The relative low cost to produce this productive tool makes it affordable for all in the erosion field to afford, therefore benefiting everyone in the field. Operators of this device will have less back and knee pain after blanket installations. Also, employers will have less worker compensation claims from their employees. 
         [0026]    It makes sense to use this tool if one only has a single blanket to install due to its lack of weight and compactness. This tool fits in any car or truck and stows easily on any wall. This installer requires no fuel to operate and therefore discharges no hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. 
         [0027]    Besides the many benefits of the machine itself, the operator also benefits from the detail of the design of the installer. Each operator can set the adjustable tow straps to their own comfortable height thereby lessening the burden of installing erosion blankets. Also the hook and loop fasteners that hold the adjustable tow straps to the support arm so that the tow straps will not tangle. The telescoping tubes allow each user to simultaneously insert the blanket prong ends into the center of the erosion blanket. The telescoping lock takes the challenge out of the keeping the prongs tightly fit into the end of the erosion blanket especially on challenging slopes. The bearings that guide the prong ends to keep the blanket from binding with the prong, this also allows for a smooth snag-free rolling motion through out the entire pull. Also to prevent binding at the bearing housing are blanket guides that aid in steering of the blanket installation. 
         [0028]    Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the telescoping lock can be a pin, spring plunger, detent button, etc.; the blanket guide can be many different sizes; the telescoping tubes can be many different dimensions and made of different materials; the installer can be pulled by a single user, two users or by a machine hook up, etc. 
         [0029]    Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the example given.

Technology Category: e