US4893455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bendable marker and method of marking
Assignee: Hughes Enterprises
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Filing: 1989-04-24
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Granted: 1990-01-16
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Expires: 2009-04-24
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 23:21
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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft with an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric element with an upper and lower end; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible element; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible element; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric element below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward at said elastomeric element into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft with an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric element with an upper and lower end; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible element; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible element; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric element below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward at said elastomeric element into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric sleeve with an upper and lower end; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible sleeve; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible sleeve; providing a clearance within said elastomeric sleeve between said upper end of said stake and said lower end of said shaft; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric sleeve below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward with said lawn mower at said elastomeric sleeve into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric sleeve with an upper and lower end; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible sleeve; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible sleeve; providing a clearance within said elastomeric sleeve between said upper end of said stake and said lower end of said shaft; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric sleeve below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward with said lawn mower at said elastomeric sleeve into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric sleeve with an upper and lower end and with at least a central portion which has a width which exceeds its thickness; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible sleeve; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible sleeve; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric sleeve below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake in a direction perpendicular to said width of said central portion of said elastomeric sleeve, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward with said lawn mower at said elastomeric sleeve into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of mowing grass with a grass mower in the vicinity of a post, comprising the steps of: providing the post with a shaft having an upper end and a lower end; providing the post with a stake with an upper end; providing the post with a flexible elastomeric sleeve with an upper and lower end and with at least a central portion which has a width which exceeds its thickness; coupling said lower end of said shaft to said upper end of said flexible sleeve; coupling said upper end of said stake to said lower end of said flexible sleeve; inserting said stake into said grass area at said selected location to a depth that positions the top of said stake substantially level with the surface of said grass area and positions a lower portion of said elastomeric sleeve below the surface of said grass area; and passing said grass mower over said stake in a direction perpendicular to said width of said central portion of said elastomeric sleeve, contacting said shaft with the grass mower and bending said shaft downward with said lawn mower at said elastomeric sleeve into a position substantially flat on the grass area.
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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) | 1993-01-15 | 1993-07-17 | 1994-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-15 | 1997-07-17 | 1998-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-15 | 2001-07-17 | 2002-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |