SCREED FORM STAKE

PIEU EN FORME DE BARRE LISSEUSE

English Abstract

The screed form stake has a cradle portion with a horizontal top surface. A
screed rod groove in the top surface extends from a front wall to a rear wall
of the
cradle portion. First and second side flanges extend downward from the cradle
portion and have rear flange surfaces in a first vertical plane. A central
flange is
integral with the first and second side flanges, extends downward from the
cradle
portion, and extends forward from the first and second side flanges. A soil
penetration point is formed on the bottom of the screed stake between the side
flanges and the central flange. A stake driver has a bottom surface, that
engages
the stake top wall, and a top surface. A screed rod shaped member on the
bottom of the stake driver is seated in the screed rod groove and has an
exposed
elevation measuring surface.

Claims

7

What is claimed is:

1. A screed form stake comprising a cradle portion with a rear cradle wall
having a vertical rear cradle wall surface in a first plane, a front cradle
wall, a left
cradle side wall, a right cradle side wall, and a stake top wall; a screed rod
groove in the stake top wall of the cradle portion that extends from the front
cradle wall to the rear cradle wall and having a groove axis that is
perpendicular
to the first plane; a first side flange integral with the cradle portion,
extending
downward from the cradle portion, and having a first flange rear surface in
the
first plane; a second side flange integral with the cradle portion and the
first side
flange, extending downward from the cradle portion and having a second flange
rear surface that is in the first plane; a central flange integral with the
cradle
portion, the first side flange and the second side flange, extending downward
from the cradle portion, and extending forward from the first side flange and
the
second side flange; a soil penetration point on said screed form stake at a
bottom
of a joint between the first side flange, the second side flange and the
central
flange; a first gusset, at the junction between the first side flange and the
central
flange, extending from the soil penetration point to the cradle portion; a
second
gusset, at the junction between the second side flange and the central flange,
extending from the soil penetration point to the cradle portion; a stake
driver
having a stake driver bottom that engages the stake top wall; a stake driver
top
surface; and a screed rod shaped member, embedded in the stake driver, that
seats in the screed rod groove and extends out of at least one end of said
stake
driver to expose a screed rod elevation measuring surface.

2. A screed form stake in combination with a stake driver wherein said
screed form stake includes a cradle portion with a rear cradle wall having a
vertical rear cradle wall surface in a first plane, a front cradle wall, a
left cradle
side wall, a right cradle side wall, and a stake top wall; a screed rod groove
in the
stake top wall of the cradle portion extending from the front cradle wall to
the rear
cradle wall and having a groove axis that is perpendicular to the first plane;
a first




8

side flange integral with the cradle portion, extending downward from the
cradle
portion, and having a first flange rear surface in the first plane; a second
side
flange integral with the cradle portion and the first side flange, extending
downward from the cradle portion and having a second flange rear surface that
is
in the first plane; a central flange integral with the cradle portion, the
first side
flange and the second side flange, extending downward from the cradle portion,
and extending forward from the first side flange and the second side flange; a
soil
penetration point on said screed form stake at a bottom of a joint between the
first side flange, the second said flange and the central flange; and wherein
said
stake driver has a stake driver bottom that engages the stake top wall; a
stake
driver top surface; and a screed rod shaped member, embedded in the stake
driver bottom, that seats in the screed rod groove and extends out of at least
one
end of said stake driver to expose a screed rod elevation measuring surface.

3. A screed form stake in combination with a stake driver, as set forth in
claim 2, wherein the stake top wall is a flat surface bisected by the screed
rod
groove.

4. A screed form stake in combination with a stake driver, as set forth in
claim 2, wherein the screed rod groove includes an arcuate surface with a
constant radius from the groove axis.

5. A screed form stake in combination with a stake drive as set forth in claim
2, including a first gusset at the junction between the first side flange and
the
central flange and extending from the soil penetration point to the cradle
portion;
and a second gusset at the junction between the second side flange and the
central flange and extending from the soil penetration point to the cradle
portion.

6. A screed form stake in combination with a stake driver, as set forth in
claim 2, including a plurality of form attaching fastener passages through the
first
side flange and the second side flange.





9

7. A screed form stake in combination with a stake driver, as set forth in
claim 2, including a screed rod supported in the screed rod grooves of a
plurality
of said screed form stakes and having a round screed rod cross-section.

8. A method of forming a surface on new concrete with a selected elevation
at known locations comprising positioning a plurality of screed stakes, each
having a screed rod positioning groove in a stake top surface and a bottom
soil
penetration point , in selected vertical positions; seating a screed rod
shaped
member, embedded in the bottom of a stake driver, in each screed rod position
groove; transferring force through the stake driver to the plurality of screed
stakes; driving the screed stakes into the soil until the screed rod shape
member
in the stake driver has a screed rod elevation measuring surface at a selected
elevation; removing the stake driver from each screed stake; mounting screed
rods in the plurality of screed rod positioning grooves; pouring fresh
concrete
around the screed stakes and over the screed rods; finishing a surface of the
fresh concrete at a level even with the tops of the screed rods; removing the
screed rods; and filling the voids where the screed rods were located with
fresh
concrete.

9. A screed form stake comprising a cradle portion with a rear cradle wall
having a vertical rear cradle wall surface in a first plane, a front cradle
wall, a left
cradle side wall, a right cradle side wall, and a stake top wall; a screed rod
groove in the stake top wall of the cradle portion that extends from the front
cradle wall to the rear cradle wall and having a groove axis that is
perpendicular
to the first plane; a left force impact top wall surface extending from the
vertical
rear cradle wall surface to the front cradle wall and from said screed rod
groove
to the left cradle side wall, a right force impact top wall surface extending
from
the vertical rear cradle wall surface to the front cradle wall and from said
screed
rod groove to the right cradle side wall, and wherein force for driving the
screed
form stake into soil is applied simultaneously to the left force impact top
wall




10

surface, to the right force impact top wall surface and to said screed rod
groove;
a first side flange integral with the cradle portion, extending downward from
the
cradle portion, and having a first flange rear surface in the first plane; a
second
side flange integral with the cradle portion and the first side flange,
extending
downward from the cradle portion and having a second flange rear surface that
is
in the first plane; a central flange integral with the cradle portion, the
first side
flange and the second side flange, extending downward from the cradle portion,
and extending forward from the first side flange and the second side flange; a
soil
penetration point on said screed form stake at a bottom of a joint between the
first side flange, the second side flange and the central flange; a first
gusset, at
the junction between the first side flange and the central flange, extending
from
the soil penetration point to the cradle portion; a second gusset, at the
junction
between the second side flange and the central flange, extending from the soil
penetration point to the cradle position; and wherein the vertical rear cradle
wall
surface, the first flange rear surface and the second flange rear surface are
the
rear extent of said screed form stake.

Description

CA 02467031 2004-05-12
2
SCREED FORM STAKE
The present invention pertains to the field of devices for use in concrete
pouring operations. Particularly, the invention relates to screed form stakes
used
in concrete pouring operation to ensure that once the is poured it is smooth
and
level.
Screed and form stakes are conventionally used when pouring concrete in
order to obtain the proper grade and to ensure a smooth level surface of the
concrete once it has been poured. Form stakes are used to support concrete
forms or barriers which are used along the outside of an area in which
concrete
is to be poured, so as to contain the poured concrete in that area. Screed
stakes
are used to support rods or bars, which are placed over large areas to ensure
that the. concrete being poured is level and smooth.
On many smaller jobs individuals have taken to forming screed stakes
from wooden scraps. These scraps are formed into stakes which are then used
to support either concrete forms or screed rods/bars. This process is time
consuming and often does not yield accurate results.
Alternatively, the use of complex screed systems is expensive, especially
given the fact that, in many operations, screed stakes may permanently stay in
the concrete once it has been poured. One solution to this problem used in the
prior art was a multiple piece screed stake, part of which could be removed.
An
example of this type of system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,867,041 and
5,173,004. These systems, while effective, are more complex and costly than
the
screed system of the present invention. Further, the prior art systems are
more
complicated to use and generally require more than one individual to ensure
proper placement of the stakes over a given area.
The present invention is A SCREEDIFORM STAKE SYSTEM comprised
of a screedlform stake (10) and a stake driver (12). The screedlform stake
(10)
has a lower end, which is adapted for ground cutting by terminating in the
shape
of a point. The upper end of the screedlform stake (10) comprises a U-shaped


CA 02467031 2004-05-12
3
cradle portion (14) adapted for receiving a screed rod or bar [(28) in FIG.
6]. The
stake has two side flanges (16, 18), which together form the face portion of
the
stake. Holes (26) are drilled in each of the side flanges (16, 18) at
predetermined
positions. The holes (26) are for use in association with a concrete form and
to
assist in the proper placement of the stake in a screeding operation. A
central
raised flange (20) is located on the face portion of the stake: The central
flange
(20) extends upwardly from the lower end of the stake where it is angled to
cooperate with the pointed end of the face portion of the stake. The central
flange
(20) extends upwardly terminating in the raised U-shaped cradle portion (14)
of
the upper end of the stake (10). The stake may be of varying lengths,
depending
upon the depth of concrete to be poured. The stake driver (12) comprises a
handle portion and a driver portion and is designed to mate with the
screedlform
stake (10) in use.
The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the
following description and in the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the screed system of the present invention
showing the screed/form stake and the stake driver in engaged relationship;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the screed system of the present
invention showing the screed/form stake and stake driver in engaged
relationship;
FIG. 3 is an extended perspective view of the screed system of the
present invention showing the screedlform stake and stake driver separated;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the screedlform system of the present invention
showing the screedlform stake and stake driver in engaged relationship;
FIG. 5 shows the screed/form stake of the present invention being used as
a form stake; and


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4
FIG. 6 shows the screedlform stake of the present invention being used as
a screed stake in association with screed bars or rods.
The Screed/Form Stake System of the present invention comprises a
stake 10, which may function either as a screed stake or as a form stake, and
a
stake driver 12.
The ScreedlForm Stake 10 when being used in a screeding operation (as
seen in FIG. 6) supports the bars or rods 28 that are used to determine the
height of concrete when being poured over large areas. The bars or rods 28 are
placed in the U-shaped cradle portion 14 at the upper end of the stake 10. In
a
screeding operation, the flanges on the stake are important in securing the
stake
in the ground. The side flanges 16, 18 prevent front to back movement while
the
raised center flange 20 prevents lateral movement. The side flanges 16 and 18
have rear surfaces 19 and 21. The central flange 20 is angled at the lower end
so
as to cooperate with the lower end of the face portion for facilitating entry
into the
ground. A first gusset 32 in the junction between the first side flange 16 and
the
central flange 20 and a second gusset 34 between the second side flange 18 and
the central flange strengthen the three flanges. The gussets 32 and 34 also
strengthen the connections between the cradle portion 14 anc~, the flanges 16,
18
and 20.
When used as a form stake (as shown in FIG. 5) the stake supports
barrier walls or forms 40, which contain the concrete as it is being poured in
a
given area. The stake is fastened to the form by fasteners 42 that pass
through
holes 26 in the side flanges 16, 18 which taken together form the face portion
of
the stake. These holes 26 are spaced at predetermined distances along the side
flanges 16 and 18. The holes 26 allow the side flanges to be secured to a
form.
They also help guide placement of the stake when being used as a screed stake.
The holes 26 receive conventional screws, nails or other conventional
fasteners
42 and allow the stake to be securely fastened to the form 40.


CA 02467031 2004-05-12
In either use, the stake terminates at a point 44 at a lower end. The
pointed lower portion 44 of the stake 10 facilitates entry of the stake into
the
ground.
The upper portion of the stake is formed into a U-shaped cradle portion 14
5 for receiving screed bars or rods 28, which are used as guides when pouring
concrete over large areas. The U-shaped cradle portion 74 also receives the
round portion 46 of the stake driver 12 when the stake 10 is being pounded
into
the ground. As seen in FIG. 3, the upper face "A" of the cradle portion 14 is
of
essentially the same size and shape as the portion marked "B" on the stake
driver 12. This design allows for even distribution of the forces when the
stake
driver is being used to drive the stake into the ground. The cradle portion 14
is
disposed on the face of the stake 10 and is formed of such a thickness so as
to
prevent breaking when being driven into the ground by the stake driver 12.
The stake driver 12 is designed to mate with the stake 10 while in use.
The upper end portion 48 of the stake driver 12 may be of any shape that
allows
for the use of a device (such as a hammer) to exert force on the stake driver
and
thereby pound the stake 10 into the ground. The round portion 30 of the stake
driver is flush with the back of the stake driver 12 and extends outwardly
from the
front 50 of the driver. The stake driver 12 may also be designed having the
round
portion 30 extending outwardly from the back 49 and front 50 of the driver.
The
round portion 30 of the driver must extend outwardly from at least one side of
the
stake driver because this portion of the driver serves two functions. First,
it mates
with the U-shaped cradle portion 14 of the stake 10 and the screed rod groove
52
thereby aiding the driver's 12 function of forcing the stake 10 into the
ground.
Second, the round portion 30 is designed to be of the same diameter as
conventional screed rods or bars 28, thereby aiding in the level placement of
the
screed bars or rods on the stake once the stake has been driven into place.
The
screed rod groove 52 has a groove axis 53 that is coaxial with the axis of the
round portion 30 when the round portion is seated in the screed rod groove.
The
groove axis 53 is perpendicular to the rear surface 19 and 21. Essentially,
the


CA 02467031 2004-05-12
6
outwardly extending round portion 30 has a screed rod elevation measuring
surface 54 that serves as a platform for a transit and transit stick or other
measuring system. The transit stick may be placed on the top measuring surface
54 of the outwardly extending round portion 30, which will be the same height
as
the stake 10 with a screed rod or bar 28 placed thereupon. Thus, the-proper
height of the stake 10 and whether it is level, may be determined without the
need for placement of the actual screed rods or bars 28 and may be
accomplished by one individual.
The screedlform stake system may be made of any material suitable for
withstanding the forces necessary to drive the stake 10 into the ground,
including
plastic, wood and metal, among others. Presently, it is believed that the most
economical material for manufacturing the stake is plastic. However, other
materials may be used so long as they are sufficiently strong to withstand the
forces transmitted by the stake driver 12.
The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form
of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive
thereof.
The invention is defined in the claims.
25

Representative Drawing