A Stake Applicator

This invention relates to a stake applicator suitable for inserting a stake into the ground. More particularly.but not exclusively, the invention relates to an insertion system adapted, inter alia, to insert stakes individually or in groups. Even more particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to stake applicator using manual or powered means, with stake feeder mechanisms ranging from manual single insertion to gravity fed magazine systems to powered and/or sprung feeder systems.

Various types of insertion or application of stakes are known in the art. Depending on the situation of use, various designs of applicator are available which are adapted to the particular situation. See for example, United States Patent number 5743454. The applicator generally consists of a guide passage, a means of retaining the stake in position, a means of application of force to the stake and a feed mechanism for loading stakes into the insertion position.

Applicators of the prior art have been known to cause high rates of stake breakage due to lateral forces and/or twisting and waste. Also, these applicators have not proven to be durable in use.

The prior art has used grommets and/or brushes as stake retaining devices. These have proven problematic in use due to fouling and excessive wear.

According to the invention there is provided a profiled enclosed guide channel, a means of application of feree to a stake, a means of insertion of the stake into the applicator and a means of retention of the stake within the applicator until force is applied to eject the stake.

Such an applicator provides a fast, reliable means of inserting stakes in an ergonomically sustainable manner in such a way as to provide greater pull-out resistance than if applied by hand. Furthermore such an applicator allows accurate partial insertion of stakes. The use of a channel simplifies the design of the applicator compares to the prior art thereby reducing the maintenance and increasing the durability of an applicator in accordance with the present invention compared to the prior art.

Additionally, the present invention prevents stake breakage by ensuring that the stake is supported over its length during insertion and allows more accurate positioning of the stake than the prior art.

Means of mounting and/or handling the applicator are also provided.

Means for partial insertion of stakes and for drip-feeding of liquids into the stake insertion shaft are provided.

Advantageously, the applicator shall accommodate attachment of a drip- feed system to allow liquids such as colloids, oils and the like to be applied to stakes as they are inserted.

This allows liquids such as oils, colloidal substances and the like to be applied to stakes during insertion.

Most preferably, an internal profile of the enclosed guide channel is arranged to interlock with the shape of a stake.

Such interlocking of the channel and stake provdes support and stiffness to the head and shank of the stake throughout the insertion process thereby reducing the possibility of stake breakage.

Preferably, the means of retention in position of the stake prior to ejection comprises a spring mounted system. More preferably, the spring mounted system is durable and easily replaceable.

Preferably, the guide channel will be operable to receive stakes of differing dimensions.

Advantageously, the applicator shall be adjustable to allow accurate partial application of stakes.

Advantageously, the applicator shall be capable of receiving a plurality of stakes.

Desirably, the applicator may be powered by manual, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other means. In such an embodiment the loading of a stake may be assisted by gravity couplred with the motive forces listed above.

All components of the applicator may be fabricated from metal, plastics, fibrous material (for example carbon fibre, glass fibre), ceramic material, or a combination of materials.

Advantageously, the applicator shall be provided with one or more loading apertures located on at least one side of the guide channel.

The loading apertures may be positioned at varying heights from an end of the guide channel.

Such loading apertures allow the use of the applicator in varying terrain and also accommodate various physical statures of users of the applicator.

Advantageously, the loading apertures may be of different sizes.

This allows the applicator to be used to insert stakes of varying sizes.

Advantageously, internal profiling of the guide channel is arranged to support of stakes of different sizes over substantially all of their length.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, having regard to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a first embodiment of an applicator in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is sectional view through the applicator of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a plunger for use with the applicator of Figure 1

Figure 4 is a cross section through a guide channel of the applicator of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, a stake applicator 100 comprises an elongate rectangular box section 102 having open ends 104, 106, an arrow shaped aperture 108 in a front face 110 of the box section 102 and a U-shaped handle 111 adjacent a free end 112 of the section 102. Typically, the box section 102 is about 1000mm in length and is generally fabricated from aluminium, usually from extruded aluminium.

The internal profile of the box section 102 comprises a substantially I- shaped guide channel 113 running along the length of the longitudinal axis of the box section 102. The end sections of the l-shaped guide channel 113 are substantially narrower than the body.

The front face 110 of the box section 102 has a small circular opening 114 between the aperture 108 and an open insertion end 116 of the section 102. Typically, this opening 114 will be tapped. A spring loaded plunger 118 locates in the opening 114.

A side face 120 of the box section has a small circular opening 122 therethrough between the aperture 108 and the free end 122 of the box section 102 into which a spring loaded plunger 124 locates.

The aperture 108 is provided for manual loading of a stake 126 into the guide channel 113. Usually, the stake 126 is about 150mm in length. Typically, a stake 126 comprise an elongate shaft 128 having a double arrow head tip 130 at one end and a pair of opposing L-shaped arms 132 at the other end. Each arm 132 comprise a spacing section 134 that extends away perpendicularly from the shaft 128 and a retaining section 136 that extends along side and parallel to the shaft 128.

In use, a stake 126 is loaded into the guide channel 113 such that the retaining sections 136 of the arms 132 reside in the end sections of the guide channel 113 and the shaft 128 locates in the body section of the guide channel 113. Thus, the shape of the guide channel 113 is complementary to the shape of the stake 126.

A rectangular plunger 138 locates snugly in the guide channel 113 via the free end 112 of the box section 102. Typically, the plunger is abot 1050mm in length. The plunger 138 has a handle 139 at one end and a slot 140, typically about 100mm long, in a face thereof. The plunger 138 is used to urge the stakes 126 towards the insertion end 116 of the box section 102.

As a stake 126 is to be inserted into the ground the plunger 138 forces the stake 126 out of the applicator 100 and into the ground. The complementary shapes of the cross-section of the channel 113 and the stake 126 provides the stake 126 with support over substantially all of it's insertion into the ground. The registry between the stake 126 and the applicator 100 due to the shaped nature of the guide channel 113 allows accurate positioning of the stake 126 in the ground.

Altghough described with reference to an applicator having only a single loading aperture it will be appreciated that in another embodiment the applicator may have a number of loading apertures through the box section. It will be appreciated that the loading apertures may be of varying size to allow the loading of different lengths of stake into the applicator.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions detailed hereinbefore are exemplary only and will vary depending on stake size and situation.

It will be appreciated that in a further embodiment of the invention a magazine stake feeding system is employed and non-manual insertion force may be applied to the stake through a plunger. Typically, this embodiment uses a shorter enclosed guide channel and the length of the plunger is varied to suit the length of the enclosed guide channel.

The invention may be carried manually or be attached to a motor vehicle, either singly or in groups for large-scale insertion of stakes. This embodiment is shown in drawings SK01 and SK02.

Some embodiments of the invention may comprise an optional drip feed bottle and loading assist cap. Drip-fed liquids can flow down the shaft onto the stake. .

The applicator may be provided with handles, straps, belt attachments, mechanical couplings, cleats, slings or other devices to allow manipulation and support.