Curb stake with integral support

Claim 2

A curb stake adapted to be driven into the ground adjacent to a concrete form, to secure the form in a prescribed position, comprising: an elongated shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground immediately adjacent to a concrete form; and support means integral with the shaft and disposed on the side of the shaft opposite the concrete form, for engaging the ground when the shaft has been driven into the ground a predetermined distance, the support means preventing the shaft from pivoting in a direction away from the concrete form, whereby the curb stake resists both outward displacement and outward pivoting of the concrete form when concrete is poured on the side of the form opposite the curb stake, wherein the support means includes first means defining a support surface secured to the elongated shaft, the support surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and abutting the ground when the shaft is driven the predetermined distance into the ground, second means defining an impact surface secured to the elongated shaft at or near its upper end, the impact surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and configured to be struck by a blunt instrument, to drive the lower end of the shaft into the ground, and a second elongated shaft secured to the ends of the first and second means opposite the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft including a spike projecting below the first means and in substantially the same direction as the lower end of the first elongated shaft, the spike including a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground along with the lower end of the first elongated shaft, wherein the first means, second means, and second elongated shaft cooperate to form an opening therebetween sized to permit insertion of an elongated tool, for use in extracting the stake from the ground.

Claim 3

A curb stake as defined in claim 1, and further including a lug projecting laterally from the elongated shaft, at or near its upper end, the lug including at least one hole through it for use in securing the concrete form to the curb stake.

Claim 4

A curb stake as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft and the support means are both formed of steel and are welded together to form a single integral unit.

Claim 5

Concrete form apparatus for use in forming a concrete pad having a substantially vertical sidewall, comprising: an elongated form disposed generally on or near the ground, the form having an inward side and an outward side and adapted to receive concrete adjacent to its inward side; a plurality of curb stakes disposed adjacent to the outward side of the elongated form, each curb stake including an elongated shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground immediately adjacent to the form, and support means integral with the shaft and disposed on the side of the shaft opposite the form, for engaging the ground when the shaft has been driven into the ground a predetermined distance; and attachment means for securing the elongated form to each of the curb stakes; wherein the support means of each curb stake prevents the shaft from pivoting in a direction away from the form, whereby the curb stake resists both outward displacement and outward pivoting of the form when concrete is poured on its inward side; and wherein the support means of each curb stake includes first means defining a support surface secured to the stake's elongated shaft, the support surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and abutting the ground when the shaft is driven the predetermined distance into the ground, second means defining an impact surface secured to the stake's elongated shaft at or near its upper end, the impact surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and configured to be struck by a blunt instrument, to drive the lower end of the shaft into the ground, and a second elongated shaft secured to the ends of the first and second means opposite the stake's first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft including a spike projecting below the first means and in substantially the same direction as the lower end of the first elongated shaft, the spike including a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground along with the lower end of the first elongated shaft, wherein the first means, second means, and second elongated shaft cooperate to form an opening therebetween sized to permit insertion of an elongated tool, for use in extracting the stake from the ground.

Claim 6

Concrete form apparatus for use in forming a concrete pad having a substantially vertical sidewall, comprising: an elongated form disposed generally on or near the ground, the form having an inward side and an outward side and adapted to receive concrete adjacent to its inward side; a plurality of curb stakes disposed adjacent to the outward side of the elongated form, each curb stake including an elongated shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground immediately adjacent to the form, and support means integral with the shaft and disposed on the side of the shaft opposite the form, for engaging the ground when the shaft has been driven into the ground a predetermined distance; and attachment means for securing the elongated form to each of the curb stakes; wherein the support means of each curb stake prevents the shaft from pivoting in a direction away from the form, whereby the curb stake resists both outward displacement and outward pivoting of the form when concrete is poured on its inward side; and wherein the support means of each curb stake includes first means defining a support surface secured to the stake's elongated shaft, the support surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and abutting the ground when the shaft is driven the predetermined distance into the ground, second means defining an impact surface secured to the stake's elongated shaft at or near its upper end, the impact surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and configured to be struck by a blunt instrument, to drive the lower end of the shaft into the ground, and a second elongated shaft secured to the ends of the first and second means opposite the stake's first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft including a spike projecting below the first means and in substantially the same direction as the lower end of the first elongated shaft, the spike including a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground along with the lower end of the first elongated shaft, wherein the first means, second means, and second elongated shaft cooperate to form an opening therebetween sized to permit insertion of an elongated tool, for use in extracting the stake from the ground.

Claim 7

Concrete form apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each of the curb stakes further includes a lug projecting laterally from the stake's elongated shaft, at or near its upper end, the lug including at least one hole through it for use in cooperation with the attachment means in securing the concrete form to the stake.

Claim 8

Concrete form apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the elongated shaft and support means of each curb stake are both formed of steel and are welded together to form a single integral unit.

Claim 9

Concrete form appartus as defined in claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes a plurality of nails.

Claim 10

A curbs take adapted to be driven into the ground adjacent to a concrete form, to secure the form in a prescribed position, comprising: an elongated shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground immediately adjacent to a concrete form; first means defining a support surface secured to a mid-portion of the elongated shaft, the support surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and abutting the ground when the shaft is driven the predetermined distance into the ground; second means defining an impact surface secured to the elongated shaft at or near its upper end, the impact surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and configured to be struck by a blunt instrument, to drive the lower end of the shaft into the ground; a second elongated shaft secured to the ends of the first and second means opposite the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft including a spike projecting below the first means and in substantially the same direction as the lower end of the first elongated shaft, the spike including a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground along with the lower end of the first elongated shaft; wherein the first means, second means, and second elongated shaft cooperate to form an opening therebetween sized to permit insertion of an elongated tool, for use in extracting the stake from the ground; and a lug projecting laterally from the elongated shaft, at or near its upper end, the lug including at least one hole through it for use in securing the concrete form to the curb stake.

Claim 11

A curbs take adapted to be driven into the ground adjacent to a concrete form, to secure the form in a prescribed position, comprising: an elongated shaft having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end having a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground immediately adjacent to a concrete form; first means defining a support surface secured to a mid-portion of the elongated shaft, the support surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and abutting the ground when the shaft is driven the predetermined distance into the ground; second means defining an impact surface secured to the elongated shaft at or near its upper end, the impact surface being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and configured to be struck by a blunt instrument, to drive the lower end of the shaft into the ground; a second elongated shaft secured to the ends of the first and second means opposite the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft including a spike projecting below the first means and in substantially the same direction as the lower end of the first elongated shaft, the spike including a pointed tip to facilitate its being driven into the ground along with the lower end of the first elongated shaft; wherein the first means, second means, and second elongated shaft cooperate to form an opening therebetween sized to permit insertion of an elongated tool, for use in extracting the stake from the ground; and a lug projecting laterally from the elongated shaft, at or near its upper end, the lug including at least one hole through it for use in securing the concrete form to the curb stake.