Ground stake for deterring driven vehicles

Abstract

A ground stake for deterring driven vehicles consists of an integral, unitary body with an upper section, a lower section, and an elongated intermediate section. The lower section consists of a ground piercing rod member with an anchoring element adapted to be compelled into the ground to maintain the stake in an immobile position within the ground on real property. The upper section provides the appearance of a decorative stake with a pointed upstanding tip, giving the observer the impression that the stake is solid metal which will cause damage to any vehicle driven onto the property. In actuality, both the upper section and intermediate section, which interconnects the upper and lower sections, are made of a bendable, pliable material which, upon impact with the tires of a vehicle, will give way and bend. Thus, the ground stake, by appearing to extend up as a solid metal stake, will deter drivers. Nevertheless, it is actually safe for cars and individuals.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fences, large rocks, masonry curbs and railroad ties are some of the most common obstacles utilized to prevent individuals from driving onto the real private property of others. The knowledge that driving into or over this type of rigid obstacle will damage the vehicle obviously discourages drivers from doing so and, as a result, the property is protected.

However, in many situations there are no rigid obstacles installed between the accepted driving surface, (e.g. street, driveway, parking lot) and private property, and often the property owner does not wish to install barriers on the property. In such circumstances, it is not uncommon that vehicles are driven onto property adjacent to the accepted driving surface, e.g. as a result of recklessness, to make a u-turn, with some malicious intent, or otherwise. Driving onto private property will usually result in damage to the grass, flowers, bushes and the landscape in general, not to mention presenting a real risk of physical harm to individuals on the property.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a ground stake device which will deter the vehicle owner from driving his or her car, truck, or other vehicle over private property which is located adjacent to the road or other legally permitted driving surface.

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a ground stake for deterring driven vehicles which presents the appearance of being a solid, upwardly extending metal stake, likely to cause severe tire or other vehicle damage if driven over by a vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ground stake which, while it presents the appearance of being a solid metal stake, is actually made of bendable, pliable material which is both safe for vehicles and individuals.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ground stake which, when installed on property, will not result in a visible obstruction to the property.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a ground stake for deterring driven vehicles which is easily and economically manufactured and, in use, is simple to install.

It is a further object of the present invention to visually communicate that the property owner's intent is to prevent vehicle traffic in the staked area, even after drivers become aware that the stakes are harmless.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a ground stake for deterring driven vehicles which comprises an integral, unitary body with an upper section, a lower section, and an elongated intermediate section. The lower section consists of a ground piercing rod member with an anchoring element adapted to be compelled into the ground to maintain the stake in an immobile position within the ground on real property. The upper section provides the appearance of a decorative stake with a pointed upstanding tip, giving the observer the impression that the stake is solid metal which will cause damage to any vehicle driven onto the property. In actuality, both the upper section and intermediate section, which interconnects the upper and lower sections, are made of a bendable, pliable material which, upon impact with the tires of a vehicle, will give way and bend. Thus, the ground stake, by appearing to extend up as a solid metal stake, will deter drivers. Nevertheless, it is actually safe for cars and individuals.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the ground stake of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the ground stake of the present invention in use on real property as a deterrence for driven vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Ground stake 1 of the present invention is an integral, unitary body comprising upper section 2 with pointed tip 8, elongated intermediate section 4, and lower section 6. Upper section 2 can extend upward as a single, unadorned member or it can be configured with a decorative design, to which the current invention is not to be considered restricted. Any upstanding member, whether unadorned or ornamental in configuration is contemplated. Critical to the invention, however, is that upper section 2 comprises pointed, upstanding tip 8.

Lower section 6 comprises ground piercing member 10 having sharp end point 12. Extending from ground piercing member 10 is anchoring element 14, which assists in restricting the mobility of ground stake 1, once lower section 6 penetrates and is compelled into the ground. Structural rib member 16 may be incorporated into ground piercing member 10 for added strength. Top surface 13 of ground piercing member 10 provides direct vertical access to allow ease of installation of ground stake 1. Receiving element 18 extends laterally from ground piercing member 10 for accepting and joining intermediate section 4 to lower section 6. Intermediate section 4 can be permanently secured within receiving section 18, or configured to be removeable therefrom, if it is desired that the lower section remain in the ground while only the intermediate section and upper sections are to be removed.

Once again the invention is not to be considered restricted to that which is depicted as lower section 6. It is contemplated that any ground piercing, anchor configuration e.g. screw type ground piercing/anchor, duck bill earth anchor, winged rod, or equivalent, can be used to set and rigidly maintain and anchor ground stake 1 in position in the ground.

Elongated, intermediate section 4 interconnects upper section 2 and lower section 6, the intermediate section extending down from the upper section and the lower section, in turn, extending down from the intermediate section.

Significantly, both upper section 2 and intermediate section 4 are made of a sturdy, yet bendable, pliable material like flexible rubber, foam rubber or equivalent material. Lower section 6, including rod member 10 and anchoring element 14, is made of a rigid material, preferably a corrosion and rust resistant metal or plastic. The materials used for ground stake 1 will be able to withstand the demands of routine lawn maintenance, e.g. use of weed wackers, fertilizing equipment, sprinkler systems, etc.

In use, as seen in FIG. 2, ground stakes 1 are positioned within ground 20 of real property, by driving rod member 10 with sharp end point 12 and anchoring element 14 into the ground. The full length of lower section 6 is driven into the ground such that only upper sections 2 and intermediate sections 4 are exposed above the ground.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is anticipated that a plurality of ground stakes 1 will be driven into and positioned within the ground of the real property to be protected. Once in place, ground stakes 1 present the appearance of being solid, upwardly extending metal stakes whose pointed tips 8 will cause severe tire damage if driven over by a vehicle. This appearance will provide a strong deterrent to driving vehicles onto the real property grounds. In actuality, the bendable, pliable nature of upper section 2 and intermediate section 4, ensures that ground stake 1 is safe, presenting no risk of damage to vehicles or injury to individuals who may come into contact with it.

To be effective for the use for which ground stake 1 is intended, the combined length of upper section 2 and intermediate section 4 should be in a range between ten and eighteen inches. The combined length of upper section 2 and intermediate section 4 must result in ground stake 1 being high enough off the ground to allow the driver of a vehicle to clearly see the stake and low enough to impart to the driver that there will be severe damage to the vehicle if it is driven over the stake. The length of lower section 6 should be sufficient to ensure that ground stake is securely positioned within the ground. Representative lengths would be in the four to eight inch range.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A ground stake for deterring the driving of vehicles onto real property comprising:

an upper section having a pointed, upwardly extending tip, said section being made of bendable, pliable material;

an elongated intermediate section extending down from the upper section, said intermediate section also being made of bendable, pliable material; and

a lower section extending down from the intermediate section, said lower section having a ground piercing member, whereby when the stake is mounted within the ground, the pointed tip of the upper section extends up to deter the driving of vehicles onto the real property, the bendable, pliable material of the upper and intermediate sections precluding actual damage to the vehicle.

2. The ground stake as in claim 1 further comprising anchoring means for immoveably mounting the stake within the ground of real property

3. The ground stake as in claim 1 wherein the upper section is configured as a decorative design.

4. The ground stake as in claim 2 wherein the anchoring means comprises an anchoring element extending from the ground piercing member.

5. The ground stake as in claim 1 wherein the upper and intermediate sections are made of a flexible rubber material.