Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
File number: 13208-005
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REMOVING A STAKE
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of
United States
Provisional Patent Application No. 63/110,866, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
REMOVING A STAKE", and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office
on
November 6, 2020.
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of mechanical
tools and methods
thereof and, more particularly, to tools for removing in-ground stakes and
associated
methods of use.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Commonly used in construction projects, stakes serve multiple purposes
from
surveying to securing concrete. In particular, they provide a temporary marker
or support
in various construction projects. The stakes are commonly made of metal, wood
or plastic
and comprise a pointed end allowing them to be driven deep into the soil or
concrete using
a sledgehammer thereby increasing their stability.
[0004] Stakes are often manually removed once a project is complete or if they
are no
longer required. Depending on the depth at which the stakes are buried or the
material they
are buried in, their removal can prove challenging and time consuming.
Moreover, the large
number of stakes commonly used in construction projects can often be
physically
exhausting for workers while extending the construction time.
[0005] Various stake removal tools have been proposed for the easy removal of
stakes. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 7,017,962 discloses a stake removal tool having two
handles
linked by a link bar, wherein the limits of the handles define gripper
surfaces being opposite
to one another. The gripper surfaces are spaced apart to allow a stake to be
positioned
therebetween which can be engaged by the gripper surfaces for removal.
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 8,356,799 discloses a stake removal tool comprising two
loops
disposed on opposite ends of the device. A first loop is configured to receive
a top end of
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a stake while the second loop is configured to receive a user's forearm. As
the user engages
the device, the first loop tightens around the stake thereby facilitating its
removal.
[0007] The use of the aforementioned removal tools presents certain drawbacks,
namely
the continued physical effort required by the users. There is therefore a need
for a manual
powered stake removal tool.
[0008] The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are
realized by generally
providing a stake removal tool comprising an elongated member defining a
proximal end
and a distal end, a carriage and a lift system configured to drive the
carriage along a
longitudinal direction of the elongated member. The carriage comprises a
chassis, a first
pivoting member configured to pivot about the chassis and defining a first
engagement
member, and a second pivoting member configured to pivot about the first
pivoting
member and defining a second engagement member.
[0009] The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel
are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become
more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to
the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a stake removal tool in
accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the stake removal tool of Figure
1.
[0013] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an exemplary chassis used in
the stake
removal tool of Figure 1.
[0014] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the chassis of Figure 3.
[0015] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of an exemplary drive bracket used
in the stake
removal tool of Figure 1.
[0016] Figure 6 is an isometric view of the chassis of Figure 3.
[0017] Figure 7 is another top perspective view of the chassis of Figure 3.
[0018] Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the stake removal tool of Figure
1.
[0019] Figure 9 is another side perspective view of the stake removal tool of
Figure 1.
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[0020] Figure 10 is another side perspective view of the drive bracket of
Figure 5.
[0021] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary base used in the
stake removal
tool of Figure 1.
[0022] Figure 12 is yet another side perspective view of the stake removal
tool of Figure
1.
[0023] Figure 13 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the
attaching system
of the stake removal tool of Figure 1.
[0024] Figure 14 is another bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the
attaching
system of Figure 13.
[0025] Figure 15 is a close-up bottom view of the attaching system of Figure
13.
[0026] Figure 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the stake
removal tool in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 17 is a front elevation view of the stake removal tool of Figure
16.
[0028] Figure 18 is a left elevation view with the upper portion being a
section view of the
stake removal tool of Figure 16.
[0029] Figure 19 is a right perspective view of an exemplary attaching system
used in the
stake removal tool of Figure 16.
[0030] Figure 20 is a right elevation view of the attaching system of Figure
19.
[0031] Figure 21 is a top plan view of the attaching system of Figure 19.
[0032] Figure 22 is a top perspective exploded view of the stake removal tool
of Figure 16.
[0033] Figure 23 is a front perspective view of an exemplary support of an
endless screw
as used in the stake removal tool of Figure 16.
[0034] Figure 24 is a side elevation view of an exemplary constraining portion
as used in
the attaching system of Figure 19.
[0035] Figure 25 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary first gripping
member as used
in the attaching system of Figure 19.
[0036] Figure 26 is a rear elevation view of the first gripping member of
Figure 25.
[0037] Figure 27 is a side elevation view of an exemplary endless screw as
used in the
stake removal tool of Figure 16.
[0038] Figure 28 is a front perspective view of an exemplary drive system
socket as used
in the stake removal tool of Figure 16.
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[0039] Figure 29 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the drive system
socket of
Figure 28.
[0040] Figure 30 is a front perspective view of an exemplary base as used in
the stake
removal tool of Figure 16.
[0041] Figure 31 is another top perspective exploded view of the stake removal
tool of
Figure 16.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0042] A novel stake removal tool will be described hereinafter. Although the
invention is
described in terms of specific illustrative embodiment(s), it is to be
understood that the
embodiment(s) described herein are by way of example only and that the scope
of the
invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stake removal tool 100 for the removal of
in-ground
stakes is illustrated. The stake removal tool 100 typically comprises an
elongated member
40 defining a proximal end adapted to be manipulated by a user and a distal
end adapted to
engage a stake.
[0044] In certain embodiments, the stake removal tool 100 may comprise a base
30
typically affixed to the distal end of the elongated member 40. The base 30 is
generally
adapted to support the stake removal tool 100 when in use. The base 30 may
additionally
comprise one or more openings 32 configured to allow the passing of the stake.
Still
.. referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stake removal tool 100 comprises a
substantially flat base
comprising the opening 32. In a preferred embodiment, the base 30 is
substantially
shaped as a U and allows the stake to be inserted either by downwardly moving
the tool
toward the ground or by sliding the stake within the U-shape to allow later
engagement.
[0045] The base 30 may be affixed to the elongated member 40 using a fastener,
an
25 adhesive or any other suitable method. In other embodiments, the base 30
may be
detachably affixed to the elongated member 40 and selectively affixed when
required. In
yet other embodiments, the base may comprise a rear wall 34 adapted to attach
the base 30
to the elongated member 40.
[0046] The stake removal tool 100 may further comprise a carriage 10
configured to
30 engage the stake and be displaced longitudinally across the elongated
member. To that end,
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the carriage 10 may be slidably attached to the elongated member 40 using any
suitable
means. Referring now to FIG. 6, the carriage 10 is slidably attached to the
elongated
member by means of a sliding bracket. Accordingly, the sliding bracket
comprises an
interior profile configured to receive the elongated member 40.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the stake removal tool 100 further comprises a
lift system
50 configured to displace the carriage 10 along the elongated member 40. The
lift system
50 may comprise any suitable mechanism for driving the carriage 10 such as,
for example,
an endless screw 52, a screw jack, a belt system, a magnetic system or any
combination
thereof. Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lift system 50 of the present
embodiment
comprises a screw jack or endless screw 52 disposed along the length of the
elongated
member 40. The endless screw 52 may have any length suitable for allowing the
carriage
10 to be displaced along a desired length of the elongated member 40. It may
be appreciated
that, in other embodiments, the lift system 50 may be disposed externally to
the elongated
member 40.
[0048] In order to displace the carriage 10, the lift system 50 may engage an
attachment
portion 12 of the carriage 10. The attachment portion 12 may additionally form
part of a
chassis of the carriage 10. In accordance with the present embodiment, the
attachment
portion 12 consists of a threaded portion configured to receive the endless
screw 52. To
that end, a rotation of the endless screw 52 engages the threaded portion 12
of the chassis
to drive the carriage 10 along the longitudinal direction of the elongated
member 40.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, in such an embodiment, the carriage 10
further
comprises a gripping or attaching system 20. The attaching system 20 is
adapted to grip or
firmly retain around the stake when the carriage 10 is moved upwardly. The
attaching
system may comprise a first and second gripping members 22 and 24.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching system 20 comprises a
supporting
member or link 21, a first gripping member 22 and a second gripping member 24.
The first
gripping member 22 is pivotally attached to the second gripping member 24 at
the pivot
point 23, typically at a distal location of the elongated member 40. The first
gripping
member 22 is typically loose at a portion close to the elongated member to be
impacted by
gravitational forces. Preferably, the first gripping member 22 comprises a
generally V or
U-shaped gripping portion adapted to at least partially circle the stake. The
first gripping
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member 22 may further comprise a passage adapted to receive the endless screw
52 (show
in FIG. 4).
[0051] The second gripping member 24 slides with the support member 21,
typically
through a slot 27 (shown at FIG. 6). The pivot point 23 of the second gripping
member 24
and sliding portion (through slot 27) move the gripping member 24 when the
first gripping
member is affected by gravitational forces and upward movement of the carriage
10. In the
present embodiment, the gripping member 24 comprises a constraining portion 26
which,
when pivoted toward the stake, create a further pression to grip the stake.
The constraining
portion 26 may comprises teeth or other friction means to increase gripping
force on the
.. stake.
[0052] In another embodiment, the first pivoting member 22 may be configured
to pivot
about the chassis by means of a first pivot axis 23. The second pivoting
member may
thereafter be configured to pivot about the first pivoting member by means of
a second
pivot axis. In order to limit the motion of the second pivoting member
relative to the
chassis, the attaching system 20 may further comprise a stopper or slot 27
adapted to
vertically restrain the motion of the second pivoting member.
[0053] In certain embodiments, the first and second pivoting members 24 and 22
may
define first and second engagement portions. The first and second engagement
portions
may be configured to conjointly engage the stake for its removal. Referring to
FIGS. 4 and
7, the first and second engagement portions may define a stake opening 25
large enough to
receive a portion of the stake positioned above ground but without attaching
to it.
[0054] Understandably, any other methods to grip or attach the stake by moving
the
carriage 10 up and down may be used within the scope of the present invention.
As such,
in some embodiments, a roller may be pushed against the stake to maintain
against a
__ gripping member.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, as the lift system 50 engages the carriage
10 and
attaching system 20 to displace it upwardly in a longitudinal direction of the
elongate
member, the second pivot members 22, being attached only at the pivot point
23, is forced
downwardly by gravity due to the upward movement of the carriage 10. The
gravitational
__ forces exerted on the second pivot member 20 changes the relative geometry
of the first
and second engagement portions to contract the stake opening 25. As may be
appreciated,
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a stake disposed within the stake opening 25 during this operation shall be
engaged by the
first and second gripping portions 22 and 24 and forced upwardly along with
the chassis
when the carriage 10 is moving upwardly.
[0056] The lifting system 50 typically comprises a drive system 54 configured
to drive the
lift system 50. The drive system 54 may comprise any suitable system to
operate and
control the lift system such as, for example, an engine, a motor or more
preferably a power
tool such as a drill. Referring to FIG. 2, the stake removal tool 100
comprises an electric
motor configured to engage and rotate the endless screw 52. The stake removal
tool 100
may further comprise a drive bracket adapted to align the axle of the drive
system 54 with
the rotational axis of the endless screw in order to increase mechanical
efficiency and
generally to avoid side forces on the pivoting shaft, which may create
breakages.
[0057] In the present embodiment, the drive system 54 is an electric drill. In
one
embodiment, the endless screw 52 may be axially connected to a socket, such as
a standard
socket for drilling. The electric drill is engaged with the socket to turn the
endless screw
52 in any direction. A first direction of rotation drives the carriage 10 down
while the
opposite direction moves the carriage 10 up.
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive system 54 comprises a drill in
which a drive
bracket 55 is inserted. The drive bracket 55 is adapted to be securely
attached to the drill
(or other drive motor) and to the elongated member 40. In one embodiment, the
drill may
be dismantled, the bracket 55 may be inserted within the two or more dismantle
part and
be secured within the drill, offering a rigid connection to the drill as can
be shown at Fig.
2.
[0059] To further ease the operation of the stake removal tool, the stake
removal tool may
comprise one or more handle 60 to be engaged by the user during the operation
of the stake
removal tool.
[0060] In use, the tool 100 is placed on the ground, typically against the
base 30. The tool
100 is positioned to align the elongated member 40 or the base with the stake
in the ground.
The drive system 50 is activated to move the carriage down, such as pivoting
the endless
screw in a first direction. When the attaching system 20 reaches a portion of
the stake, the
drive system 50 is stopped and/or reversed to move the carriage 10 up (the
endless screw
52 turns in a second direction, opposite to the first direction). By moving
up, gravitational
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forces move down a first gripping member 20 which in turn moves or pivot the
second
gripping member in direction to close the opening 25 around the stake. As the
carriage 10
moves up, the stake is solidly gripped between the firs and second gripping
members 20
and 22.
[0061] To remove the stake, the movement of the carriage is stopped, reducing
the gripping
around the stake.
[0062] Referring now to Figures 13 to 15, the gripping portion of the second
gripping
member 24 is shown. As illustrated, the gripping portion may comprise surfaces
at an angle
allowing gripping when pivoted.
.. [0063] Referring now to Figures 16 to 18, 22, 23 and 31, an embodiment of
stake removal
tool 100 for the removal of in-ground stakes is illustrated in accordance with
the principles
of the present invention.
[0064] Referring now to Figures 19 to 21, an embodiment of the attaching
system 20 is
illustrated.
[0065] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the
invention have been
described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive
concepts may be
otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are
intended to
be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior
art.
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