Patent Application
20090044664
Various embodiments of the invention pertain to stake drivers. At least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a handheld stake driver that has a wide upper end and an adjustable receiving socket to enable the user to drive a stake more easily and safely.
A stake is typically a wooden pointed object that is thrust into the ground to serve as an anchor or marker. For example, stakes are often used in constructions to secure footing forms and surveying projects to demarcate boundaries or reference points. When a stake is driven into the ground or other surface, oftentimes, the stake will break or splinter due to the impact with the hammer and/or the ground if the hammering is done at an improper angle. Also, hammers often slip upon impacting the stake which can result in injury to the user holding the stake.
Existing tools that assist in driving stakes into the ground do not provide for proper protection of the user's hand. The gripping area in existing tools is rather narrow or non-existent making it difficult to properly drive in the stake without injury to the user.
Also, in prior art drivers, the socket in which the tool receives the stake does not provide for different sizes and shapes of stakes. Accordingly, if the driver socket is improperly sized this increases the possibility of damaging the stake or injuring the user's hand.
Consequently, a handheld stake driver is needed that protects a user from hand injury while accommodating stakes of different sizes.
A stake driver is provided comprising a longitudinal shaft having a strike portion at a first end. A receiving socket is coupled to a second end of the shaft, the socket defining a first cavity sized to receive a stake. A handle may be coupled to the shaft and positioned concentric with the shaft. A protective flange positioned coplanar with the strike portion of the shaft and shaped to protect a user's hand when holding the handle. The protective flange and handle are coupled to each other. The handle may also have finger grooves whereby a user can grip the stake driver.
The first cavity in the receiving socket may be shaped and sized to fit snuggly around a strike end of the stake, shaft and receiving socket configured to transfer a striking force from the strike portion to the stake in the receiving socket, wherein the receiving socket distributes the strike force evenly across a striking end of the stake. The first cavity may thus inhibit splintering of the striking end of the stake.
The stake driver may also include an adaptor configured to fit within the first cavity. The adaptor defining a second cavity sized to receive a stake of different size than the stake received by the first cavity. The adaptor is secured to the receiving socket by one or more fasteners. A plurality of interchangeable adaptors may be configured to fit within the first cavity, each of the plurality of adaptors having a cavity sized and shaped to receive stake of different size than other adaptors.
A stake driver apparatus is also provided comprising: (a) a longitudinal shaft having a strike portion at a first end, (b) a receiving socket coupled to a second end of the shaft, the socket defining a first cavity sized to receive a stake, and (c) an adaptor configured to fit within the first cavity, the adaptor defining a second cavity sized to receive a stake of different size than the stake received by the first cavity, wherein the first cavity in the receiving socket and the adaptor are shaped and sized to fit snuggly around a strike end of the stake. The shaft and receiving socket may be configured to transfer a striking force from the strike portion to the stake in the receiving socket, wherein the receiving socket and adaptor distribute the strike force evenly across a striking end of the stake. The first cavity in the receiving socket inhibits splintering of the striking end of the stake.
The stake driver may also include a protective flange positioned coplanar with the strike portion of the shaft and shaped to protect a user's hand when holding the shaft, and a handle coupled to the shaft and concentric with the shaft, wherein the handle has finger grooves whereby a user can grip the stake driver. The shaft and receiving socket are made of metal and the adaptor is made of plastic.
In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the invention might be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance, the term “stake” refers to a pointed piece of wood, plastic, and/or metal to be driven into the ground as a marker or support.
In one embodiment, the receiving socket 106 may be made of hard metal or other durable material. The material used for the receiving socket 106 may be resistant to heavy impact of a hammer or mallet when a stake is driven into the ground. In one example, the receiving socket 106 may include a metal first portion closest to the shaft 108 with a plastic second portion defining the remainder of the socket. Limiting the size of the metal portion of the socket 106 may result in lowering the cost and/or weight of the stake driver 100.
The receiving socket 106 cavity 202 may be configured to accept various attachments that facilitate using stakes of different sizes and shapes. Additionally, the stake driver 100 may also couple to power tools that can drive a stake into the ground. Thus, the stake driver 100 may not only be used manually but also with an electric power tool.
In alternative implementations, the receiving socket 106 may have a circular or square shape. Consequently, the socket cavity 202 may be circular or square as well, thereby allowing the use of adaptors having a circular or square internal or external shape.
In some implementations, the adaptor 502 can be attached to the stake driver 100 by various fastening devices, such as screws, magnets, Velcro, and/or spring loaded buttons, that keep the adaptor 502 securely coupled to the receiving socket 106 when driving a stake into the ground. For example,
One or more of the components and functions illustrated in
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications are possible. Those skilled, in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
