US4377919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Holddown system for horticultural plastic sheet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-26
•
Granted: 1983-03-29
•
Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for holding down horticultural plastic sheet provides a fastener and tool for driving and removing the fastener; the fastener may be an inverted "L" shape or in "T" shape or in inverted "W" shape according to embodiment with the lower portion wedge shaped and the upper portion held in a form-fitting socket in the head from which it can be removed by sliding in either of two directions or by springing apart of jaws of the tool to release the fastener; special cleat structure helps secure plastic sheet to the earth; in the "T" shaped embodiment and the "W" shaped embodiment, the fastener can hold two or more plastic sheets adjacently laid.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph W. Gams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:56
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G13/00; A01G13/30; A01G13/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for holding down plastic-sheet laid on the ground in earth-horticulture, comprising: a fastener for holding down said plastic sheet and a tool for applying the fastener to said plastic sheet by driving the fastener into earth; the fastener having: a wedge-shaped portion of sheet stock with two edges inclined downwardly to a point, a laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion extending to an end outwardly from the upper end of the wedge-shaped portion; the tool having: an elongate handle proportioned for upright disposition during said applying: a head on the lower end of the handle, and the head having jaw structure defining a socket in the head fitting the uppermost part of the wedge-shaped portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for holding down plastic-sheet laid on the ground in earth-horticulture, comprising: a fastener for holding down said plastic sheet and a tool for applying the fastener to said plastic sheet by driving the fastener into earth; the fastener having: a wedge-shaped portion of sheet stock with two edges inclined downwardly to a point, a laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion extending to an end outwardly from the upper end of the wedge-shaped portion; the tool having: an elongate handle proportioned for upright disposition during said applying: a head on the lower end of the handle, and the head having jaw structure defining a socket in the head fitting the uppermost part of the wedge-shaped portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as recited in claim 1, and a downward cleat on the outer end of the laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as recited in claim 1, means for sliding release of the fastener from the socket in either of two directions, comprising the socket extending entirely through the head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as recited in claim 1, means for releasing the fastener from the socket, comprising the head being resilient for releasing the fastener from the jaw structure when the fastener is in said socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as recited in claim 1, the head having structure permitting application of foot-pressure in a downward direction for said driving of the fastener into earth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as recited in claim 5, said head structure comprising the head projecting in opposite directions from the elongate handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as recited in claim 6, means for sliding release of the fastener from the socket, comprising said socket extending transversely through the head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as recited in claim 6, means for sliding release of the fastener from the head comprising said socket extending longitudinally through the projections of the head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as recited in claim 8, the fastener including a plurality of said wedge-shaped portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as recited in claim 1, said laterally-extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion having a respective side in-plane with each of said two edges inclined downwardly to a point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 10, and said fitting of the socket including an edge-in-plane with each said side laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as recited in claim 1, the fastener having means for holding down portions of two said plastic sheets, comprising the laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion forming a "T" shape with the wedge-shaped portion of sheet stock.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as recited in claim 1, each laterally extending plastic-sheet-engaging portion forming a "T" shape with the wedge-shaped portion of sheet stock and means permitting application of pressure directly on the fastener when in the tool, comprising each said lateral extension being clear of said head of the tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-28 | 1986-09-27 | 1987-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-28 | 1990-09-27 | 1991-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-28 | 1994-09-27 | 1995-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |