US4862823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bendable marker and method of marking
Assignee: FLEXSTAKE Inc A CORP OF TX
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Filing: 1988-05-05
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Granted: 1989-09-05
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Expires: 2008-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A marker supported in the ground allows a reel-type grass mower to cut grass around the marker without requiring the removal of the marker. The marker has a flexible elastomeric element coupled between a substantially rigid shaft and a substantially rigid stake and for urging the shaft into axial alignment with the stake and for allowing a reel-type grass mower to bend the rigid shaft over at the elastomeric element to a position with a sign member substantially flat with the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:44
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C19/00; A63C19/06; A63C19/062; A63B; A63B57/00; A63B57/30; A63B57/505; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/627; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B2071/0694; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/45; Y10T403/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A post supported in the ground comprising: a substantially rigid shaft having a lower end which has a width exceeding its thickness; a substantially rigid stake for insertion into said ground, having an upper end which has a width exceeding its thickness, disposed substantially level with the surface of the ground when said rigid stake is inserted therein; and a flexible elastomeric sleeve having a width exceeding its thickness and having an upper end which is inserted over said lower end of said substantially rigid shaft and a lower end extending below and inserted over said upper end of said substantially rigid stake for urging said substantially rigid shaft into axial alignment with said substantially rigid stake and for allowing said post to bend at said elastomeric element in directions perpendicular to said widths of said rigid shaft, rigid stake and elastomeric element to a position substantially flat with the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A post supported in the ground comprising: a substantially rigid shaft having a lower end which has a width exceeding its thickness; a substantially rigid stake for insertion into said ground, having an upper end which has a width exceeding its thickness, disposed substantially level with the surface of the ground when said rigid stake is inserted therein; and a flexible elastomeric sleeve having a width exceeding its thickness and having an upper end which is inserted over said lower end of said substantially rigid shaft and a lower end extending below and inserted over said upper end of said substantially rigid stake for urging said substantially rigid shaft into axial alignment with said substantially rigid stake and for allowing said post to bend at said elastomeric element in directions perpendicular to said widths of said rigid shaft, rigid stake and elastomeric element to a position substantially flat with the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A post according to claim 1 wherein a clearance exists between said lower end of said rigid shaft and said upper end of said rigid stake to facilitate bending to a position substantially flat with the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
A post supported in the ground at a surface comprising: a substantially rigid shaft having an upper end and a lower end which has a width exceeding its thickness; a substantially rigid stake for insertion into said ground, having an upper end which has a width exceeding its thickness and which is disposed substantially level with the surface when said rigid stake is inserted therein; and an elastomeric sleeve having a width exceeding its thickness and which is disposed between said substantially rigid shaft and said substantially rigid stake and having an upper end inserted over said lower end of said substantially rigid shaft and a lower end extending below and inserted over said upper end of said substantially rigid stake, with a clearance located between said lower end of said shaft and said upper end of said stake, said elastomeric sleeve urging said substantially rigid shaft to an upright position substantially normal to the surface and allowing said post to bend at said elastomeric sleeve in directions perpendicular to said widths and assume any position between said upright position and a position substantially parallel to said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
188 words
A post supported in the ground at a surface comprising: a substantially rigid shaft having an upper end and a lower end which has a width exceeding its thickness; a substantially rigid stake for insertion into said ground, having an upper end which has a width exceeding its thickness and which is disposed substantially level with the surface when said rigid stake is inserted therein; and an elastomeric sleeve having a width exceeding its thickness and which is disposed between said substantially rigid shaft and said substantially rigid stake and having an upper end inserted over said lower end of said substantially rigid shaft and a lower end extending below and inserted over said upper end of said substantially rigid stake, with a clearance located between said lower end of said shaft and said upper end of said stake, said elastomeric sleeve urging said substantially rigid shaft to an upright position substantially normal to the surface and allowing said post to bend at said elastomeric sleeve in directions perpendicular to said widths and assume any position between said upright position and a position substantially parallel to said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A post according to claim 3 wherein said widths of said shaft and said stake exceed said thicknesses for substantially the entire length of said shaft and said stake.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A post according to claim 3 further comprising a substantially flat sign member on said shaft having a width that exceeds its thickness.
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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) | 1992-09-04 | 1993-03-06 | 1993-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-04 | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-04 | 2001-03-06 | 2001-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |