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  Padded stake coverUSPTO Application #: 20070089772Title: Padded stake cover Abstract: A stake cover has been designed that consists of fabric that fits over the stake, with a slitted side opening that permits the rope to be secured to the stake while the covering is in place, and one or more VELCRO™ type fasteners to secure the stake covering to the stake without interference from the rope. In one embodiment, the stake covering is made of a reflective or fluorescent material, or incorporates a reflector, battery operated lights or flag(s) to further increase visibility. In another embodiment, the stake covering includes padding to further prevent injury in the event an individual trips over the covering. In one embodiment, the stake covering is formed of a waterproof, lightweight material that flattens for easy storage. A padded extender may also be used with the padded stake cover. (end of abstract) Agent: Patrea L. Pabst Pabst Patent Group LLP - Atlanta, GA, US Inventor: Keith Carter USPTO Applicaton #: 20070089772 - Class: 135118000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, Or Cane, Portable Shelter (i.e., Tent Or Canopy), Stake The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070089772. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application is generally in the field of improved stake covers that are highly visible and safer. [0002] Tents are routinely used by vendors, at outdoor exhibitions, and by campers. These are usually suspended on tent poles, which are then secured by ropes leading away and down from the top of the outward tent poles to stakes placed in the ground. The stakes can be as simple as short lengths of rebar hammered into the ground or more elaborate molded stakes having hooks for securing the rope and for leveraging the stake back out of the ground. [0003] In all cases, the rope and stake represent an obstacles to those passing around the tents, especially in crowded venues such as fairs and exhibitions. Invariably someone will trip on the rope and/or stake and fall. Injury is greatly aggravated by falling onto the stake, which can cause severe injury to exposed tissue. [0004] The danger posed by the stakes is well known. Efforts to ameliorate the risk include placing highly visible flags on the stakes or ropes, covering the stake with a cover, such as that described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,506 to Morin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,479 to Tscharner, NL1000058C by Europlan International BV, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,864 to Almond, or covering the stake and rope with a slotted plate, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,118 to Larson. [0005] These all are made of hard materials such as metal, plastic, rubber or wood, which can also cause injury if a person falls on them. [0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safer, more visible, and softer means of covering stakes. [0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a stake cover that is easy to attach and remove from a stake. [0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a stake cover that is cheap and easy to manufacture, made with readily available materials, and which can be modified easily to include features such as battery powered lights, flags, or reflectors to further increase visibility, especially in the dark. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] A stake cover has been designed that consists of fabric that fits over the stake, with a slitted side opening that permits the rope to be be secured to the stake while the covering is in place, and one or more VELCRO.TM. type fasteners to secure the stake covering to the stake without interference from the rope. In one embodiment, the stake covering is made of a reflective or fluorescent material, or incorporates a reflector, battery operated lights or flag(s) to further increase visibility. In another embodiment, the stake covering includes padding to further prevent injury in the event an individual trips over the covering. In one embodiment, the stake covering is formed of a waterproof, lightweight material that flattens for easy storage. The stake cover can also include an extender, for use in those cases where the stakes extend for an unusually large degree above the ground. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1A is a prospective view of a stake covering showing the slitted opening secured in a closed form by three VELCRO.TM. type fasteners. [0011] FIG. 1B is a prospective view of a stake covering showing the VELCRO.TM. type fasteners in an open unfastened position. [0012] FIG. 1C is a side prospective view of the stake covering showing the three VELCRO.TM. type fasteners. [0013] FIG. 2A is a prospective view of a hooked stake. [0014] FIGS. 2B and 2C are prospective views of an oblong doubled slitted stake covering. [0015] FIG. 3 is a prospective view of an extendible collar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Stake Covering [0016] The stake covering is shaped to conform to most stakes. It will generally by cylindrical in shape, although it may be square, rectangular or oblong. It will include one or two slitted openings that allow the stake covering to be slipped over the top of the stake before or after a rope has been secured to the stake. The slitted opening can be positioned at one location or at opposite locations. Although the slitted opening can extend the entire length of the stake covering it preferably extends only partially up the side of the covering, leaving the padded top of the cover as an integral piece. In the most preferred embodiment, the slit extends no less than one inch from the top of the stake cover. The slitted opening can include reinforced areas, which may be parallel to the slitted opening or may be in the form of half grommets or circular areas that conform with the shape of the rope extending into the stake. [0017] FIGS. 1A-1C show a cylindrical type stake covering 10 with single slit 12 that is secured with three VELCRO.TM. type fasteners 14a, 14b, 14c. The stake covering may include one or more VELCRO.TM. type fasteners, typically no more than five. Although depicted as extending perpendicularly to the slitted opening, the fasteners can be placed parallel to the slitted opening, along the insides of the slit. [0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the stake covering 20 may be oblong to fit over a stake with a hook 18 to secure a rope 16. Since the rope 16 may extend outward from either side of the stake 18, one slit 24 is left secured with the VELCRO.TM. type fasteners 14a, 14b, 14c when the cover 20 is applied over the stake 18, then the VELCRO.TM. type fasteners 14d, 14e, 14f secured in place at the slitted opening 26 in which the rope extends. [0019] Other closure means than VELCRO.TM. type fasteners can be used. These can be a clips, straps secured to a snap, button or rivet, ties, or other means known to those skilled in the art to close two pieces of material. Continue reading... Full patent description for Padded stake cover Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Padded stake cover patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Padded stake cover or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Expandable device utilized as a sport umbrella as well as an artificial christmas tree Next Patent Application: Methods of forming embedded thermoelectric coolers with adjacent thermally conductive fields and related structures Industry Class: Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Padded stake cover patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.08297 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
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