Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANCHOR SPIKE FOR LANDSCAPE EDGING
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States
provisional
application no. 61/686,408, filed April 5, 2012, which is hereby incorporated
by
reference as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a. Field of the Invention
[0002] The instant invention relates to anchor spikes for use in
landscape edging
applications. In particular, the instant invention relates to a directional
anchor
spike for securing landscape edging holding landscaping and/or paving
materials in
place. Even more particular, the instant invention relates to a novel
directional
anchor spike that more securely holds landscape edging against landscaping
and/or
paving material when driven into the ground.
b. Background Art
[0003] Landscape edging has been used in many different landscaping
applications in which landscape materials and paving are held in place. One
common type of landscape edging consists of elongated strips that are
installed
along the surface of the ground to create a vertical barrier that can act as a
retention and/or a separation of beds of earth or other landscaping fill
(i.e., gravel,
decorative rock, bark, dirt, sand, mulch, etc.) or the retention of paving
materials
such as bricks, paving stones, rock, gravel, etc. Edging strips are available
in
numerous shapes and styles, with many different feature options, and are
formed
from various types of materials, including, for instance, ridged or semi-
ridged
plastics or metals.
[0004] A very common type of landscape edging system is comprised of
an
edging strip having at least an L-shape cross-section. In other words, the
edging
strip has at least one horizontal portion intended to be in contact with the
ground
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and at least one vertical portion that acts as a barrier to landscaping fill
or as a
retention piece for paving materials. The horizontal portion typically
contains
apertures at predetermined intervals for anchor spikes or other fasteners that
are
used to secure the edging strip to the ground. The edging strip could also
have a
reversed T-shaped cross section or even a cross-shaped cross section. Both
alternatives, however, have a horizontal portion intended to be in contact
with and
pinned to the ground by an anchor spike and the vertical portion that acts as
a
barrier or retention of landscaping material. Examples of conventional
landscape
edging strips are shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,212,917, U.S. Patent No.
5,240,343,
U.S. Patent No. 5,375,941, U.S. Patent No. 5,379,546, U.S. Patent No.
6,071,038
and United States patent publication US 2008/0163566 Al.
[0005] While some edging strips are supplied with anchor nails or spikes
designed to fit pre-formed apertures on the horizontal portion, most contain
standard circular apertures sized to accommodate a standard sized anchor
spike.
For example, landscape edging strips used to retain pavers are supplied by
many
different manufacturers with 3/8" diameter apertures for anchor spikes.
Likewise,
multiple manufacturers supply anchor spikes having a diameter of 9 mm. The use
of standard aperture and anchor spike diameters allows for the components to
be
interchangeable between manufacturers. Typically anchor spikes have a
cylindrical
shape, come in various lengths and have a central tip point at one end and a
head at
the other end. When driven into the ground, the head of the anchor spike is
intended to pin the edging firmly against the ground.
[0006] One problem with many basic types of landscape edging, especially
those
used for the retention of pavers, is the inability to install the edging strip
tightly
against the outer edge of the pavers being retained. In a typical arrangement
for a
sidewalk using paver bricks, for example, a gravel base is laid on the path
for the
sidewalk to a depth between 6-12 inches. The base is about 3-6 inches wider on
both
sides than width of the planned sidewalk. On top of the gravel base is a
smaller
layer of fine-grade sand extending about the width of the sidewalk, upon which
the
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paver bricks are arranged. The landscape edging is installed on top of the
gravel
base and against the paver bricks on both sides for the length of the
sidewalk. It is
not uncommon that the loose gravel from the base or excess sand gets in
between
the edging strip and the paver bricks, thus preventing the edging from being
flush
against the paver bricks.
[0007] Another problem associated with conventional landscape edging
systems
is related to the use of the standard cylindrical anchor spikes described
above.
Standard anchor spikes have a pointed tip at one end formed by chamfering the
cylinder on four sides, essentially resulting in a pyramid shape. While
installers
typically attempt to drive the anchor spikes straight into the ground, the
design of
the tip can cause it to deflect from that path if it comes into contact with a
hard
item in the ground. Further, the four-sided nature of the point means that the
direction of any deflection is dependent on which side of the tip comes into
contact
with the hard item in the ground. Installers thus have little control over the
direction of the spike as it being driven into the ground. Additionally, a
deflection of
the spike can cause it to push against the edging strip and move it away from
landscaping material sought to be retained. This problem is especially acute
with
edging used to retain pavers because the anchor spikes are usually driven into
the
gravel base. Furthermore, because the typical aperture size is larger than the
typical anchor spike diameter (by more than 0.5 mm), the aperture cannot
sufficiently restrain lateral movement of the anchor spike as it is being
driven into
the ground.
[0008] Over time, the landscape edging will be subjected to forces that
will work
against the edging's ability to retain the landscaping material or pavers in
place.
For example, in the case of pavers or gravel, the retained material may be
walked
on which may cause lateral forces to push the edging outward. Likewise, soil
beds or
other material may become water logged in heaving rains, causing similar
lateral
forces to act against the edging. The edging itself may be walked on, kicked
or run
over by lawn equipment. In winter climates, frost heave, or the freezing and
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thawing of the earth below and around the edging can be an even greater force
acting against the landscape edging.
[0009] The freeze/thaw cycle further can cause the anchor spike to rise in
the
ground as well, ultimately resulting in the head of the anchor spike
separating from
the landscape edging. The result is that the edging becomes loose, making it
susceptible to lateral movement when subjected to the lateral forces of the
landscaping material or pavers. The landscape edging thus pulls away from the
landscaping material or pavers, causing erosion of the material or movement of
the
pavers. In the case of pavers, movement of the pavers at the edging may cause
the
inner pavers to move as well, potentially resulting in the need for an entire
installation of a sidewalk, patio or the like to be redone.
[0010] Various attempts have been made in the prior art to address the
above
problems with common landscape edging secured with anchor spikes. At the field
level, installers have attempted to drive the anchor spikes into the ground at
an
angle. This creates further problems, however, regardless of which way the
angle of
entry is for the anchor spike. First, if the anchor spike is arranged with the
direction of entry going away from the paver bricks, for example, then the
anchor
spike will tend to force the edging strip in that direction while it is being
driven into
the ground, causing the edging strip to pull away from the pavers. In some
cases,
driving the anchor spike at an angle towards the pavers may initially move the
edging strip tighter against the paver bricks, but as the anchor spike gets
closer to
the horizontal portion of the edging strip, the striking angle cannot be
maintained
and the final strikes of the anchor spike cause the edging strip to pull away
from
the pavers.
[0011] Other prior attempts to address the problems described above have
involved new designs for edging strips, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent
No.
6,226,934, or designs involving an integrated edging strip and anchor spike,
such as
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,336,290. Others have developed systems having
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interlocking edging sections rather than edging strips, as disclosed in United
States
patent application publication no US 2010/0293871 Al. These solutions all
require
the use of non-conventional edging strips, leading to a more costly
installation than
is possible with conventional systems. Other solutions have involved the use
of
anchor spikes with barbs or other protrusions intended to prevent the anchor
spike
from being pushed out of the ground by frost heave. This solution, however,
would
require edging strips with apertures sized to accommodate the protrusions on
the
anchor spikes, such as disclosed in United States patent application
publication no
US 2008/0163566 Al. This solution too would result in a costlier installation
than
one where conventional edging strips are used.
[0012] Thus, there remains a need to address the problems described above
in a
simple, cost effective manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In various embodiments, an anchor spike for a landscape edging
system
can be provided, wherein the anchor spike is configured to cause a landscape
edging
strip to be installed tighter against retained landscaping material and to
provide
greater long-term stability to the landscape edging system.
[0014] In an embodiment, an anchor spike for use with landscape edging is
provided, wherein the anchor spike comprises an elongate shaft, a head located
at a
first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of
the
elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. In various
embodiments, the length of the tip section is between about 10% and about 30%
of
the length of the elongate shaft and in other embodiments the length of the
tip
section is between about 15% and about 25% of the length of the elongate
shaft. In
still further embodiments, the length of the tip section is about 20% of the
length of
the elongate shaft. The angle between the elongate shaft and the tip section
is, in
some embodiments, between 10 and 25 . In other embodiments, the angle is
about
15 .The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry
angle
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=
while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as
a
gravel base for a brick paver installation.
[0015] In another embodiment, an anchor spike for use with landscape
edging
comprises an elongate shaft having a circular cross-section, a head located at
a first
end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end of the
elongate
shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. In some embodiments, the
tip
section transitions from a circular cross-section to a substantially flat
cross-section.
The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle
while
it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a
gravel base
for a brick paver installation.
[0016] An anchor spike for use with landscape edging of another
embodiment
comprises an elongate shaft, a head located at a first end of the elongate
shaft and a
tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft and arranged at an
angle to
the elongate shaft. In an embodiment, the tip section has a blade edge formed
by
two chamfered sides. In a further embodiment, the tip section has a blade edge
formed by two beveled sides. The angled tip section causes the anchor spike to
have
a changing entry angle while it is being driven into the ground or other
landscape
material, such as a gravel base for a brick paver installation.
[0017] Another embodiment of an anchor spike for use with landscape
edging
comprises an elongate shaft having a substantially flat cross-section, a head
located
at a first end of the elongate shaft and a tip section located at a second end
of the
elongate shaft and arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft. The angled tip
section causes the anchor spike to have a changing entry angle while it is
being
driven into the ground or other landscape material, such as a gravel base for
a brick
paver installation.
[0018] Still another embodiment of an anchor spike for use with
landscape
edging comprises two elongate shafts arranged substantially parallel with each
other. Both elongate shafts have a tip section located at one end, each tip
section
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, .
arranged at an angle to the respective elongate shaft. A connecting section is
attached to both elongate shafts at the ends opposite the tip sections and is
configured to cause both elongate shafts to be driven into the ground when
struck
with a hammer or similar tool. In an embodiment, the connecting section is U-
shaped. The angled tip sections cause the anchor spike to have a changing
entry
angle while it is being driven into the ground or other landscape material,
such as a
gravel base for a brick paver installation.
[0019] A method of securing a landscape edging strip in the ground
using an
anchor spike of any of the embodiments contemplated herein is also provided.
The
method comprises the steps of arranging in a desired position on the ground a
landscape edging strip having a plurality of apertures for anchor spikes,
providing
at least one anchor spike comprising an elongate shaft with a head located at
a first
end and a tip section located at a second end of the elongate shaft, the tip
section
being arranged at an angle to the elongate shaft, aligning the tip section of
the at
least one anchor spike with an aperture on the landscape edging and driving
the
anchor spike into the ground.
[0020] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities,
and
advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the
following
description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an anchor spike for
landscape edging
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top view of the anchor spike of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
2.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cross-section of the tip
from FIG. 3.
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, .
[0025] FIG. 5A is a representation of a typical installation of a landscape
edging
system for retaining brick pavers using a prior art anchor spike.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a representations of the typical landscape edging system
installation of FIG. 5A after a period of time.
[0027] FIGS. 6A-6F are a series of representations of a typical landscape
edge
system for retaining paver bricks using an anchor spike according to one
embodiment of the invention, shown at different stages of the installation of
the
anchor spike.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a prospective view of an anchor spike according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a prospective view of an anchor spike according to still
another
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Various embodiments are described herein to various apparatuses.
Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of
the
overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as
described
in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be
practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known
operations,
components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to
obscure the
embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will
understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-
limiting
examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and
functional
details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit
the
scope of the embodiments, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended
claims.
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. . .
[0031.] Reference throughout the specification to "various
embodiments," "some
embodiments," "one embodiment," or "an embodiment," or the like, means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment,"
or
"in an embodiment," or the like, in places throughout the specification are
not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular
features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in
one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or
characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may
be
combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or
characteristics of one
or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is
not
illogical or non-functional.
[0032] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
are used
to identify the same or substantially similar components in the various views,
FIGS.
1 and 2 illustrate a side view and a top view, respectively, of an anchor
spike 10 for
landscape edging systems according to one embodiment of the subject invention.
The anchor spike 10 has a shaft 15, a head 20 at one end and a tip section 25
at the
other end. The shaft 15 is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter d. A common
diameter for anchor spikes in general is 9 mm, but the instant invention is
not so
limited and both larger and smaller diameters are contemplated. The head 20 is
shown as a flat head but other shapes are possible and the invention should
not be
considered to be limited to the shape and size shown for head 20.
[0033] As more clearly seen in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional
view of the
anchor spike 10 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, the tip section 25 is oriented
at an
angle a with respect to the outer surface of the shaft 15. In the illustrated
embodiment, the angle a is about 150, but in other embodiments the angle may
be at least 5
and as much as 30 . Also in the embodiment shown, the transition between the
shaft 15 and the tip section 25 is rounded, with the outer edge of the
transition
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having a radius of curvature of r1 while the inner edge has a radius of
curvature r2
that is greater than r1. The ratio r2/r1 is about 1.5 in the embodiment, but
other
embodiments having different ratios are possible and contemplated. In still
further
embodiments, the transition between the shaft 15 and the tip section 25 may
not be
rounded.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the length of the tip section 25 is
substantially less than the length of the shaft 15. In some embodiments, the
tip
section 25 has a length between 10% and 30% of the length of the shaft 15.
Preferably, the length of the tip section 25 is between 15% and 25% of the
length of
the shaft 15, and most preferably, the length of the tip section 25 is about
20% of
the length of the shaft 15. It should be understood that the invention is not
limited
to the dimensions and ratios listed, however. For example, it is contemplated
that
certain installations may be suitable an atypically long anchor spike 10, in
which
case the tip section 25 may have a length less than 10% of the length of the
shaft
15. Likewise, it is also contemplated that a very short anchor spike 10 may be
desired, in which case the tip section 25 may have a length greater than 30%
of the
length of the shaft 15.
[0035] The tip section 25 consists of a transition portion 30, a tapered
portion 35
and a nose portion 40. One end of the transition portion 30 has a circular
cross-
section and is connected to the shaft 15. The transition portion 30 gradually
transitions to a substantially flat cross section at the opposite end, where
it has a
width greater than the diameter of the shaft 15 and a height less than the
diameter
of the shaft 15. The tapered portion 35 is connected to the transition portion
30 at
one end where the width of the tapered portion 35 is substantially the same as
the
width of the transition portion 30. At the opposite end, the tapered portion
35 is
connected to the nose portion 40, where it has a width approximately equal to
the
diameter of the shaft 15. In the embodiment shown, the tapered portion 35 is
substantially the same height from the transition portion 30 to the nose
portion 40,
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= . . ,
but in other embodiments the tapered portion 35 may have a smaller height at
the
nose portion 40 than it has at the transition portion 30.
[0036] The nose portion 40 is tapered in both height and width from
the tapered
portion 35 to a blade edge 45 at the outermost end of the anchor spike 10. The
width
of the nose portion 40, as seen in FIG. 2, is somewhat smaller at the blade
edge 45
than at the tapered portion 35. In other embodiments the nose portion 40 can
have
a substantially constant width across its length. FIG. 4 shows a detailed view
of the
nose portion 40 shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the nose portion 40 is
chamfered on
two sides between the tapered portion 35 and the blade edge 45. A plane
parallel to one
chamfered surface of the nose portion forms the angle 13 with a plane parallel
to the other
chamfered surface on the nose portion 40. In the embodiment illustrated, the
angle 13 is between
30 and 35 , but other angles are also contemplated.
[0037] The blade edge 45 has a height ti, which is less than the
height of the
tapered portion 35. As depicted, the height ti of the blade edge 45 is greater
than 0
mm, thus creating a blunt surface on the blade edge 45. In another embodiment,
the
nose portion 40 can be beveled on two sides between the tapered portion 35 and
the
blade edge 45, causing the height t1 to be substantially 0 mm, thus creating a
point
at the blade edge 45 across its width.
[0038] The methods of using a directional anchor spike of any of the
above
embodiments and the benefits that may be achieved will now be described.
First, to
provide some additional context, some of the problems that may arise with
prior art
landscape edging and anchor spikes will be explained. FIGS. 5A, 5B are cross-
sectional representations of one edge of a simple installation of a landscape
edging
system 800 for retaining paver bricks. The installation 800 may be for a
sidewalk,
driveway, patio or walkway, for example. In the installation 800 there is a
gravel
base 810, a layer of sand 820, a landscape edging strip 830, an anchor spike
840 and
paver bricks 850. In a complete installation there would also be filler sand
to fill any
gaps between the paver bricks 850, but the filler sand is not shown in this
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= . . .
representation. It should be understood that only one edge of the installation
800 is
shown and that an edging strip is expected to be on at least a second edge to
retain
the paver bricks from the opposite lateral direction. In addition, while only
two
brick pavers 810 are shown, it is expected that additional brick pavers are
present
in the lateral direction in the installation 800.
[0039] The gravel base 810 can have a depth of between 6-12 inches,
although
other depths are possible as well. The gravel base 810 further extends about 6
to 12
inches wider than the edge of the paver bricks 850. The edging strip 830 can
be
formed from a variety of materials, including, for instance, ridged or semi-
ridged
plastics or metals. As shown, the edging strip 830 has an L-shaped cross
section and
comprises a horizontal portion 832 and a vertical portion 834. The horizontal
portion 832 contains an aperture 836 designed to accommodate the anchor spike
840. The anchor spike 840 can be formed from various materials, such as
plastics
and metals. A typical anchor spike 840 is formed of steal, and more typically,
is
formed from mild steel. The anchor spike 840 includes a head 842 at one end
and a
tip 844 at the other end. The diameter of the anchor spike 840 is slightly
smaller
than the diameter of the aperture 836 in the horizontal portion 832 of the
edging
strip 830, while the diameter of the head 842 is larger than the diameter of
the
aperture 836 so that the head 842 can pin the horizontal portion 832 to the
gravel
base 810 when the head 842 is engaged with the horizontal portion 832.
[0040] As depicted in FIG. 5A, the anchor spike 840 has been driven
through the
aperture 836 and into the gravel base 810. One of the problems associated with
common landscape edge systems is demonstrated by the gap 860 existing between
the vertical portion 834 and the paver brick 850. The vertical portion 834 was
not in
tight contact with the paver brick 850 before the anchor spike 840 was driven
into
the gravel base 810 due to the presence of sand 820. And, because the anchor
spike
840 was driven straight down in this example, it could not force the edging
strip 830
closer to the paver brick 850.
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[0041] FIG. 5B shows the same installation 800 of FIG. 5A, but after a
period of
time. In the installation 800', the paver bricks 850 have been subjected to
environmental forces such as being walked on, which causes a lateral force 870
to be
exerted upon the vertical portion 834 of the edging strip 830. Meanwhile,
frost
heaving has caused a vertically upward force 872 to act against the horizontal
portion 832 of the edging strip 830, which in turn pushes the anchor spike 840
out
of the ground. As the edging strip 830 becomes unpinned and looser, it is more
susceptible to movement, as shown in FIG. 5B. In the scenario depicted, the
sand
layer 820 has started to erode and the paver brick 850 nearest the edging
strip 830
starts to become displaced. Resetting of at least some of the paver bricks 850
and
the edging strip 830 will be required to repair the installation 800'.
[0042] FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate the method and benefits of using the
embodiment
of an anchor spike 10 described above in a landscape edging system 100 for
retaining paver bricks installation having many of the same components as the
landscape edging system 800. For example, landscape edging system 100 contains
gravel base 810, layer of sand 820, landscape edging strip 830 and paver
bricks 850.
The difference is that instead of the prior art anchor spike 840, installation
100
includes the anchor spike 10 described above. In the method of use of the
inventive
anchor spike 10, the anchor spike 10 is aligned with the aperture 836 in the
edge
strip 834 with the tip section 25 pointing down toward the ground and the
shaft 15
at an angle away from the paver bricks 850.
[0043] To install from the position illustrated, the anchor spike 10 is
first moved
downward so that the blade edge 45 is in contact with the gravel base 810
through
the aperture 836. The head 20 is then struck by a hammer (not shown) or other
similar tool and the anchor spike 10 is driven into the gravel base 810 until
the
head 20 comes to rest against the horizontal surface 832.
[00441 In FIGS. 6B-6F, various positions of the anchor spike 10 while it is
being
driven into the gravel base 810 are shown. As can be seen through the figures,
the
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angle of entry of the anchor spike 10 through the aperture 836 and into the
gravel
base 810 changes as the anchor spike 10 is being driven. After the initial
strikes
with a hammer, the angled tip section 25 causes the anchor spike 10 to
straighten
and become essentially vertical. With further strikes of a hammer, the anchor
spike
starts to become angled at the aperture 836 in a direction toward the paver
bricks 850. With each successive strike, the tip section 25 causes the anchor
spike
10 to be at a greater angle from perpendicular to the horizontal surface 832.
The
anchor spike 10 also begins to engage the edges of the aperture 836 and, with
each
successive strike as it is driven further into the gravel base 810, the anchor
spike 10
pushes the edge strip 830 closer to the first paver brick 850 until the
vertical
surface 834 is tight against the paver brick 850, as illustrated in FIG. 6F.
[0045] The tight relationship between the vertical surface 834 and the
paver
bricks 850 help to reduce the risk of erosion and loosening of the
installation that
can occur when a gap exists between the vertical surface 834 and the paver
bricks
850. Furthermore, frost heave will act upon the angled anchor spike 10 in an
upward direction, which will not push the anchor spike 10 out of the aperture
836,
but rather will act to force the edging strip 830 even tighter against the
paver
bricks 850. Thus, the anchor spike 10 will be less susceptible to become loose
from
the freeze-thaw cycle than an anchor spike 840 from the prior art.
[0046] While the illustrated embodiments showed a typical installation of a
landscape edging system for retaining paver bricks, it should be apparent to
one of
ordinary skill in the art that the anchor spike 10 may be used with and will
be
beneficial for many other types of landscape edging system installations. For
example, the anchor spike 10 can be used with landscape edging that acts as a
border between beds of different landscape materials, such as sod, mulch,
gravel or
the like. Furthermore, the anchor spike 10 may be beneficial in any type of
application where a ground anchor that is more resistant to frost heave is
desired.
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[0047] An anchor spike 200 according to another embodiment of the invention
is
illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the anchor spike 200 is comprised
of two
shafts 205, 210, each having a tip section 208, 210 that is similar to the
embodiments described above with respect to tip section 25. At the other end
of each
shaft 205, 210, instead of a head there is a connection section 215 that joins
the two
shafts 205, 210 together. The two shafts 205, 210 and connection section 215
can be
formed of one piece of material, such as mild steal of other soft, semi-soft
or hard
metal or plastic, and can be cast, forged, extruded or machined.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates another anchor spike 300 according to yet another
embodiment of the invention. Here, anchor spike 300 consists of a shaft 305, a
head
310 and a tip section 315. Anchor spike 300 differs from anchor spike 10 in
that, at
least in part, the shaft 305 has a substantially flat cross-section rather
than a round
cross section as in shaft 15 of anchor spike 10. Tip section 315 is also
similar to and
has many of the same features as described for the embodiments of tip section
25 of
anchor spike 10.
[0049] Although various embodiments of this invention have been described
above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could
make
numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the
spirit or scope of this invention. All directional references (e.g., upward,
downward,
top, bottom, inner, outer, vertical and horizontal) are only used for
identification
purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do
not
create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of
the
invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the
like) are to
be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection
of elements It is intended that all matter contained in the above description
or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only
and
not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing
from
the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
