Abstract: A tent stake and a method to manufacture the tent stake. The tent stake is essentially comprised of two parts which are mechanically pressed one onto the other. The mechanical pressing process eliminates the need for any welding of the two parts to hold them together. The tent stake is simply an elongated rod with an enlarged eyelet at the top through which a guy wire or a rope may be threaded. The eyelet at the top is fashioned to accept a person's finger so that he may easily remove the stake from the solid substrate in which it is fixed. The eyelet is large enough to hold a loop or grommet which may be positioned below it to hold an object in place. The stake may alternately be provided with a series of removable barbs at or near its point to help hold the stake fixed in the ground or other pertinent substrate.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible beach shade for providing protection from the sun, wind, or observation, to a user. The beach shade, when developed, has a plurality of ribs pivoted around a common point at one end. The ribs are covered with flexible sheeting. The fan-like structure is mounted at the top of a pole, adapted to be implanted in the sand or other ground. The user may adjust the position of the planar fan-like structure in several degrees of freedom. The device retains a high degree of stability even when subjected to high and shifting winds under recreational conditions.

Abstract: A fold-up umbrella is disclosed as including a telescoping tubular standard centrally supporting a flexible cover made of panels arranged in a circular pattern, ribs mounted on the standard and carrying the panels, a pivoted device adjustable to spread out the ribs and panels in a pattern varying between 180.degree. to 360.degree..

Abstract: A ground anchoring stake adapted for use in securing animal traps, tent straps or ropes, and similar devices to the ground is disclosed. The stake includes an elongated cylindrical body having an upper head portion and a lower sharpened end portion. A bail is connected to or formed integrally with the body. A first portion of the bail extends outwardly from the body at a point which is below the upper head portion. The first portion of the bail curves upwardly so as to be oriented generally parallel to the body and extend above the upper head portion. An upper curved portion of the bail is disposed above the head portion of the body. A tail portion of the bail extends downwardly from the upper curved portion parallel to the body. The tail portion extends well below the upper head portion of the body. The upper curved portion of the bail permits a universal pivoting connection to be easily established between the stake and a connecting member attached to the anchored device.

Abstract: This invention is a hold-down retainer, including a pair of wires pivoted together at their centers, one wire having one straight end for insertion into ground or concrete, and the other having legs to bear against a cover on the ground or concrete.

Abstract: A portable shelter is set forth easily erected and disassembled for ready transport of same. Captured "U" shaped supports are secured within conduits formed by means of an elongate capture fabric secured to tent fabric structure to capture the supports therein. Linear supports are positioned within four corners of the tent fabric structure and are also captured in a similar capture fabric wherein the formed contents for securing the support elements therein are discontinuous medially of the tent height to enable visual manipulation and securement of the various supports together. Included in the portable structure is a removable floor formed with integral compartments for inflation thereof for selective use of the compartments as an air mattress. Additionally, luminescent portions are positioned overlying the entrance flaps to the structure for indication of orientation of the tent and positioning of the entranceway during periods of limited light.

Abstract: A portable tent-like shelter comprises an open frame made of tubular elements which slip fit together to form a roof portion. The frame has four elongated legs extending downwardly from the corners to cause the frame to be free-standing. A fabric cover is placed over the roof portion of the frame and the cover has boxed ends and sides which extend downwardly from the roof portion of the open frame. Elongated, narrow, fabric leg panels are attached to the fabric cover at each of its corners and extend downwardly along the legs of the frame. The leg panels are releasably attached to the legs at the lower ends to place tension through the leg panels to the cover to hold it in place on the frame.

Abstract: An improved plant support device includes means for folding and/or disassembly for storage and comprises an anchor angle for added support. The improved plant support can be used in spaced apart multiples with additional supports therebetween. One form includes a translucent cover means to define a hot house type structure.

Abstract: A plastics foot supporting member, adapted for mounting directly to a camping tent, comprises a horizontal sheet portion and an upright sheet portion, the two portions being held perpendicular to each other. One end of the horizontal portion is provided near the edge with a hole for tent peg to pass through. Adjacent to this hole is a vertically upwardly projecting tubular support for insertion and fixing therein of the tent brace pole. A further hole defined on the upright portion facilitates tying thereto of the tent outer sheet whereas a flaplock part formed at the tail end of the upright portion is intended to be sewn on to the corners of the tent inner sheet.

Abstract: An anchor that is inserted into the soil on a beach to keep the stern of the boat near the shore when the bow is anchored in the water. The anchor has a rod with a handle on one end and a point on the other. A flat strip has two parallel right angle bends in the same direction that divide the strip into three parts. The end of the first part is narrow and centered on the strip. The second part, between the two bends, forms a platform that can be stepped on, even with bare feet, to insert the anchor into light soil. The third part, between the second bend and the second end, is parallel to the first part and with the first part provides high resistance to the pull of a rope perpendicular to the plane of the first part. The flat strip has a hole large enough and located so the rod can be placed through the hole with the point past the narrow end of and against the first part of the flat strip with the bend of the handle pointed away from the second end of the flat strip.

Abstract: A collapsible sunshade for erecting on a sandy beach includes a polygonal sail member and a complement of supporting poles corresponding to the corners of the sail member, the poles being particularly flexible for maintaining a desired tension in the sail member without requiring accurate positioning of the poles in the sand. The poles each have a triangular trough-shaped blade member for securely anchoring in wet or dry sand with a low level of downwardly directed force being required for penetration of the poles into the sand. Loops extending from the corners of the sail member enclose respective shanks of the poles, tensioning of the loops providing frictional engagement with the shank members for supporting the vertical load of the sail member. The loops of the sail member can be adjusted up and down individually on the poles, the flexibility of the shank members assuring the required frictional engagement, even when the sunshade is exposed to winds and accidental contact.

Abstract: A portable, sun and wind shield having a flexible covering material and a collapsible frame for supporting said covering material is disclosed. The collapsible frame is comprised of at least two resilient support members secured at their respective ends by connecting means. An adjustable tensioning means is secured at the connecting means and is adapted to draw together the ends of the resilient support. The covering material is spanned between the resilient support members such that when the resilient support ends are drawn together and rotated in opposite direction about the connecting means, the covering material becomes tautly stretched.

Abstract: A marker assembly for permanently locating underground utility elements with a non-removable plastic stake and a tamper-proof marker held in place by the stake.

Abstract: A stake for anchoring a beach blanket, towel or other like fabric is disclosed. An elongated body is provided with tapered vanes. A planar upper end is provided with an arcuate slot within which is located a rotatable ring. A vertical slot, a curved edge and a recess provide for engaging the fabric when the fabric is applied thereto and the ring is rotated into the recess. The arcuate slot allows for downward sliding of the ring into a locking location which may be provided with a detent.

Abstract: This invention is a lockable tent stake, including a pair of metal clamp plates, several Allen head screws for securing the plates together by means of an Allen screwdriver, a pivotal covering plate, a ground stake and a padlock.

Abstract: A curb stake for use in securing a concrete form in a prescribed location, the curb stake including an elongated shaft and integral support structure that cooperate to resist both outward displacement and outward pivoting of the concrete form when concrete is poured on its opposite or inward side. The support structure includes a generally horizontal member that abuts the ground when the shaft has been driven a predetermined distance into the ground, along with a spike that projects into the ground at a location spaced from the shaft. The support structure further provides an impact surface for convenient use in driving the stake into the ground, to a depth below that of the top edge of the concrete form, along with an opening for convenient use in extracting the stake from the ground after the poured concrete has been finished and set.

Abstract: Tent stake has a straight wire shank and has a head formed of the same material. The head has a hook under the side thereof for engagement by a tent rope, has a driving surface on the top thereof, and has an opening therethrough to serve as a handle for the pulling of the tent stake.

Abstract: A covered structure is formed in an arched shape and utilizes PVC pipe which is slidable through sleeves electrically welded to a cover. The PVC pipe is bent into an arched shape and is attached to spreader bars which serve as the ground contacting portion of the structure. Fiberglass rods are inserted within the arched PVC pipe so as to both strengthen and define the arch, and water bags and stakes may be attached to the spreader bar, which is also constructed of PVC pipe, so as to anchor the structure to the ground. This construction provides for a flexible covered structure which will not be destroyed by external forces, such as wind, rain, etc., since only resilient materials are used in its construction. Additionally, building code requirements which relate to the method of attachment of a structure to the ground are not applicable since a direct attachment between the structure and the ground is not required.