Hydraulic and earth engineering – Earth treatment or control – Ground stabilization or reinforcement
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-18
2003-12-16
Shackelford, Heather (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Earth treatment or control
Ground stabilization or reinforcement
C405S302700, C405S015000, C405S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06663324
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related generally to prevention of erosion and promotion of seed germination in soil, and more particularly, to installation of erosion blankets to prevent erosion and promote seed germination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Erosion blankets are used throughout the world to stabilize soil before seed germinates and/or small plant plugs cover the ground. Erosion blankets are used for a variety of reasons, such as stabilizing large areas along highways, stabilizing areas around detention/retention ponds, establishing fine quality lawns for commercial and residential properties and restoring prairies. Erosion blankets are typically provided in rolls of 65 to 100 yard rolls, depending upon the type of blanket. The most widely used blankets are made of straw and wood fiber. Typically, erosion blankets of every type are installed by hand.
Erosion blankets are typically utilized to keep the soil and seed from eroding away during and after precipitation. In addition to preventing erosion, such blankets retain moisture in the soil under the blanket for a much longer period of time. The extended presence of moisture enables the seed to germinate much more quickly than without blanket cover.
In addition, erosion blankets retard weed growth when grass seed is planted in the late spring and early summer months. Due to the consistent shade that is provided by the erosion blanket the vast majority of noxious weed seed will not germinate.
In the landscaping industry, two alternative products are often used to encourage seed germination. These products are straw mulch and hydro mulch, both of which are typically mechanically blown or dropped onto the soil. However, bales of straw which are broken apart and spread on the soil as straw mulch can blow away which leads to mixed results. Hydro mulch, a paper component with seed and fertilizer mixed in slurry of water, helps the seed germinate but does not control erosion. Furthermore, hydro mulch is a poor medium to keep moisture in the soil during critical dry times of the growing season. While straw mulch and hydro mulch are less effective than erosion blankets, their use is popular due to their lower associated costs, especially the labor costs involved in installing the mulch on the soil.
Erosion blankets are typically installed after a site has been fine graded (soil prepared for seed) and seeded. The seed may be broadcast or installed using a mechanical seeder. For use with small plant plugs, the erosion blanket is installed and the plant plugs are manually planted into the blanket. In either use, after the erosion blanket has been laid on the ground, stakes must be manually driven through the blanket into the ground to keep the blanket in correct position. The stakes are typically six inches long and must be driven deep enough such that they are flush with the erosion blanket so that mowers do not strike them. The manual operations dealing with the installation of stakes significantly increase the cost of installing an erosion blanket and often lead landscapers to use the less labor-intensive products mentioned above for reasons involving both time and costs.
Therefore, there is a continuing significant need in the field of erosion prevention and seed germination promotion for improvements related to the installation of erosion blankets and for more efficient installation thereof. An improved device and method achieving these goals would lead to better erosion protection and, therefore, higher quality lawns and prairies, as well as cleaner lakes, creeks, streams, rivers and oceans.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device which efficiently installs erosion blankets.
Another object of the invention is to provide an erosion blanket installation device which is simple in structure and operation in order to facilitate effective installation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an erosion blanket installation device which mechanically drives stakes into the ground to hold the blanket in position.
Another object of the invention is to provide an erosion blanket installation device which mechanically drives staples into the ground to hold the blanket in position.
Another object of the invention is to provide an erosion blanket installation device which simultaneously unrolls and pins to the ground the erosion blanket.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of mechanically installing an erosion blanket on the ground.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of installing an erosion blanket on the ground which minimizes the need for manual operations during installation.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an easy penetration point in the ground for the insertion of a stake which automatically pins an erosion blanket to the ground.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of automatically pinning an erosion blanket to the ground during installation.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an improved method and device for efficiently and effectively installing erosion blankets on ground surfaces. The invention represents a significant advance over the state of the art by providing a novel device, which allows for an automatic method of installation which is heretofore unknown in the art.
The erosion blanket installation device is able to install a 500 yard roll of a straw erosion blanket on the ground while securing the blanket in place until the turf or vegetation naturally stabilizes the ground soil via a staple or a pneumatically driven stake which enters a 5″-6″ furrow.
The device for installing an erosion blanket, i.e., laying and securing the blanket along a pathway on the ground, is comprised of a vehicle frame, an axle arm connected with respect to the vehicle frame and engaging an axle around which the blanket roll is sleeved, at least one staple or stake gun connected with respect to the frame and at least one staple or stake cartridge connected with respect to the gun for supplying staples or stakes to pin the blanket to the ground.
The erosion blanket is rolled so that it may be sleeved around the blanket axle before use of the device. The blanket is positioned in the vehicle frame by sliding the roll around the blanket axle. As the device is propelled along the pathway the blanket is unwound from the roll and is placed on the ground. The device preferably includes a blanket guide roller for which directs the blanket to the ground upon unwinding. The gun pins the blanket in position by driving a staple or stake through it into the ground.
For use with a stake gun, rather than a staple gun, the device also preferably includes at least one furrow blade connected with respect to the frame. Preferably three furrow blades are supported by a furrow bar which is connected to a hydraulic cylinder which urges the blades into the ground. The blades furrow the ground during movement of the device and are urged to stay in position by their arcuate shape.
The preferable device includes at least one hitch connection point connected with respect to the frame. The hitch connection points are designed to connect to a hitch of a tractor or other vehicle which is able to tow the device. There are preferably three hitch connection points to provide sufficient connection to the towing vehicle.
The preferable device further includes an air compressor which is connected to each gun for forcing staples or stakes through the blanket into the ground. An air compressor is connected to each gun via a compressor hose and allows for pneumatic pinning of the blanket.
It is also preferred that the device include a retractable arm which is connected with respect to the frame. The retractable arm is movable between an open position which allows the roll to be loaded by sliding over the blanket axle and a closed position in which the retractable arm engages the free end of the blanket
Jansson & Shupe & Munger Ltd.
Lagman Frederick L.
Shackelford Heather
LandOfFree
Erosion blanket installation device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Erosion blanket installation device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Erosion blanket installation device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3173285