AU2012101338A4 - A peg and pegging device and associated installation and manufacturing methods - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a peg comprising prongs which are interconnected at a trailing end of the peg and diverge therefrom, the peg being configured such that the prongs can be urged, against a resilient bias, into general alignment in order to be driven into the ground. 9 i L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ u il

Description

A ustralian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2A ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title "A peg and pegging device and associated installation and manufacturing methods" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C.\NR.Ponbl\DCC\AZM\457893 I_ DOC - 31/8/12 C \NRPortbnDCC\AZMW578992_I DOC-31/8/2012 A PEG AND PEGGING DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION AND MANUFACTURING METHODS The present invention relates to a peg or pegging device which can be driven into the 5 ground to provide anchorage, and to an associated peg or pegging device installation method. The invention has particular, though not exclusive, application to tent pegs. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a peg comprising prongs which are interconnected at a trailing end of the peg and diverge therefrom, the peg 10 being configured such that the prongs can be urged, against a resilient bias, into general alignment in order to be driven into the ground. Preferably, the peg is elastically deformable to permit the prongs to be urged into general alignment. 15 Advantageously, when the prongs are driven into the ground, during installation of the peg, the resilient bias, which in the preferred embodiments of the invention is created by elastic deformation, forces them laterally outwardly against the ground in which they are received, contributing to the strength of the anchorage conferred by the peg. 20 Preferably, the number of prongs is two. Preferably, the peg is of single-piece construction. 25 Preferably, the peg is configured in the form of a length of rod or bar which, between ends thereof, is bent or is formed with at least one bend whereby said trailing end is defined. An eye may thereby be defined at the trailing end; the eye may be able to be used, advantageously, for coupling the peg to an item it is to anchor. Alternatively or additionally, a torsional spring may thereby be defined at the trailing end, the spring being 30 arranged to flex when the prongs are urged into general alignment to effect said bias.

C:\NRPonb\DCC\AZM\457992_1 DOC-3 IO//20I2 -2 Preferably, the trailing end opens in a direction towards a leading end of the peg, such that a gap is defined between proximal ends of the prongs. The gap may facilitate or enable driving of the peg into the ground such that substantially the entirety of the trailing end is received in the ground when the peg is installed. 5 The peg may be configured with at least one winding at the trailing end. The winding may define the torsional spring and/or eye. The peg may bent from a length of rod or bar, or alternatively may be cast in said form of a 10 length of rod or bar which is bent or is formed with at least one bend. Preferably, the peg is drawn and/or bent from a length of steel. Preferably, the peg is formed from spring steel. 15 Preferably, the prongs and trailing end lie in a common plane. Their so doing may facilitate or enable driving of the peg into the ground such that substantially the entirety of the trailing end is received in the ground when the peg is installed. 20 Preferably, the prongs are configured with pointed and/or sharp tips to facilitate driving of the prongs into the ground. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the prongs of the peg is longer than the other(s) whereby the distal end of the longer prong can be driven into the ground/other 25 medium and the or each shorter prong, with its distal end remaining exposed, then moved, against the resilient bias, into general alignment with the longer prong for subsequent driving of both/all prongs into the ground/other medium, the longer prong thus serving as a locator. 30 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pegging device comprising: C:\NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\4578992I DOC/1 09/2012 -3 a peg as defined above; and a retainer which engages the prongs and is movable therealong between a first position, at which it permits the divergence of the prongs, to a second position, at which it holds the prongs, against the bias, in general alignment, the device being configured such 5 that the retainer in the second position is receivable against the ground, to be arrested thereby, as the prongs are driven into the ground. The retainer may thus assume the first position when the prongs are fully driven into the ground. 10 Preferably, the prongs are slidably received by the retainer. Preferably, the prongs extend through the retainer. 15 Preferably, the retainer comprises a plate. Preferably, the plate is configured with an opening or of respective openings through which the prongs are received. Preferably, the prongs are configured to preclude displacement of the retainer beyond the second position in the direction from the trailing end to a leading end of the peg. The 20 prongs, to this end, may be configured with stops past which the retainer cannot be displaced. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a peg as defined above, comprising bending an elongate piece of material to 25 define the trailing end. Preferably, bending is effected by means of a wire shape-forming machine. The elongate piece may comprise rod, bar or wire. 30 In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the piece is drawn. Preferably, the drawing of the piece is effected before bending thereof.

C:\NRPortb[\DCC\AZM\4578992_ I DOC-3 A102012 -4 Preferably, the material comprises metal. Preferably, the metal comprises spring steel. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a peg installation 5 method, comprising: providing a peg according to as defined above; and with the prongs of the peg in general alignment and distal ends thereof leading, driving the peg such that the prongs are received in ground or another medium. 10 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pegging device installation method, comprising: providing a pegging device as defined above, in which the retainer is in or near the second position; and driving the peg, with distal ends of the prongs leading, such that the prongs are 15 received in ground or another medium and the retainer abuts the ground/other medium to be arrested thereby such that the prongs are displaced axially with respect to the retainer. In a preferred embodiment of the fourth or fifth aspect of the invention, the trailing end is, before the peg is driven fully into the ground, coupled to an item which the peg is to 20 anchor. In a preferred embodiment of the fourth or fifth aspect of the invention, the peg is installed such that a plane in which the prongs lie is arranged transverse or generally perpendicular to the ground surface and in general alignment with, or generally parallel to, a direction in 25 which the peg is to apply sideways loading to what it is installed to anchor. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the fourth or fifth aspect of the invention, the peg is installed such that a plane about which the prongs diverge when not urged into general alignment is arranged transverse or generally perpendicular to the ground surface 30 and in general alignment with, or generally parallel to, a direction in which the peg is to apply sideways loading to what it installed to anchor.

C:NRPotnb\DCC\AZMW$7892_I DOC-31As/2012 -5 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the prongs of the peg is longer than the other(s) and the method comprises driving the distal end of the longer prong into the ground/other medium, thereby locating the peg for installation, and then, with the distal 5 end of the or each shorter prong, remaining exposed, moving the shorter prong(s), against the resilient bias, into general alignment with the longer prong and then driving both/all prongs into the ground/other medium to install the peg. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a 10 peg as defined above and instructions or directions for installing the peg via a peg installation method as defined above. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a pegging device as defined above and instructions or directions for installing the pegging 15 device via a pegging device installation method as defined above. The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Figure 1 shows a peg according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in an undeformed condition; Figure 2 shows the peg of Figure 1 in a deformed condition; Figure 3 depicts installation of the peg of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an alternative tip configuration of the peg; 25 Figure 5 shows a further alternative tip configuration of the peg; Figure 6 shows a preferred orientation of the peg when installed; Figure 7A shows a pegging device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a peg of the device is in an undeformed condition; Figure 7B depicts placement of the pegging device into a deformed condition; 30 Figure 7C shows a retainer of the pegging device; Figure 8 depicts installation of the pegging device; and C:\RPotbl\DCCAZM578992i DOC-3 I/8/2012 -6 Figure 9 shows a peg according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention. A tent peg 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The peg I is bent from 5-5.1 mm (4-gauge) high tensile steel (e.g. 5 Q230 grade) rod and comprises a pair of legs or prongs 3 and a generally horseshoe-shaped head 5 via which proximal ends of the prongs 3 are interconnected, and from which the prongs 3 diverge in a generally V-shaped configuration. A trailing portion 7 of the head 5 is curved so as to conform to part of a ring, which is 10 preferably circular. As will be clear from Figure 1, the trailing portion 7 sweeps through an angle a which is greater than 180 degrees, defining a partially ring-shaped configuration. A leading part 9 of the head 5 is configured in the form of a waist, from which the prongs 3 extend and at which there is a gap 11 between proximal ends of the prongs 3. Sharp and/or pointed tips 13 are formed at the distal ends of the prongs 3 to 15 facilitate driving of those ends into the ground. In the present embodiment, each of the tips 13 has a conical configuration but may have any of many alternative configurations, including a "ball peen" configuration, a configuration defined by a bevel 18, as shown in Figure 4, and a diamond- or spade-shaped configuration, as shown in Figure 5, without departure from the invention. 20 The head 5 forms a torsion spring, being resiliently deformable such that the pair of prongs 3 can be squeezed, against a resilient bias, to bring the prongs 3 into general alignment and the distal ends of the prongs 3 adjacent each other, as shown in Figure 2. 25 Referring to Figure 3, while the prongs 3 are maintained in general alignment, installation of the peg 1 can be effected by driving the peg, usually by striking the head 5 with an implement such as a mallet, such that the prongs 3, with their distal ends leading, penetrate the ground 40. Advantageously, the head 5, owing in particular to its generally ring shaped configuration, is robust and impact-resistant. As the prongs 3 are driven into the 30 ground, the resilient bias forces them laterally outwardly against the earth in which they are received, contributing to the strength of the anchorage provided by the peg I when C:\NRPortbr\DCC\AZM\4578992_ DOC-3 1/08/2012 -7 installed. Also contributing to the anchorage is a relatively large prong surface area in contact with the earth, and a correspondingly large amount of frictional engagement between the prongs 3 and earth, the surface area being approximately twice that provided by a conventional peg having a single prong of the same length and cross sectional 5 diameter as each of prongs 3. Referring to Figure 3, the head 5 defines an eye 8 through which an item 60, such as a stay or guy rope, may be fed so as to be coupled to the peg 1, or which may interengage with an eyelet introduced over the distal end of one of the prongs 3, which eyelet may, for 10 example, be provided on a tarpaulin or a tent stay or guy rope which is to be anchored to the ground by the peg 1. The peg I may, consistent with conventional pegs, be coupled to the item it is to anchor either before or after the prongs 3 are driven into the ground. Referring to Figure 6, it is preferable that the peg 1, when it is to be coupled to a rope, cord 15 or cable 60, be installed so that the longitudinal axis L thereof extends generally perpendicular to the rope/cord/cable 60, i.e. such that the angle -y between the rope/cord/cable 60, and the axis L be approximately 90 degrees. The peg 1 should thus lean in the direction D in which it is to apply sideways loading to the item it is to anchor. It is typically suitable for the peg 1 to be installed such that an angle p between the axis L 20 an axis A extending normal to the ground surface be approximately 35 degrees. It is also preferable that the peg 1 be installed such that a plane P in which the prongs 3 (and, for that matter, also the head 5) lie (see Figure 1) be generally perpendicular to the ground surface 42 and parallel to the direction D, whereby a rope/cable/cord 60, if coupled to the peg 1, will lie in the plane P. 25 Alternatively, the peg 1 may be installed such that a plane C about which the prongs diverge when not urged into general alignment is arranged transverse or generally perpendicular to the ground surface and in general alignment with, or generally parallel to, the direction D. 30 Advantageously, the head 5, owing to its being coplanar with the prongs 3 and such that C:\NRPortbl\DCC\AZM\4S78992_1 DOC-3 I182012 -8 there is the gap 11 between the prong proximal ends, can be driven into the ground such that it can be partially or substantially entirely received in the ground. More particular, its trailing end may lie substantially flush with the ground surface when the peg is installed. 5 A pegging device 50 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B. The same reference numerals as have been used in respect of the peg I are used to denote and refer to the same or corresponding features of the device 50. The device 50 comprises a peg 1' and a retainer element 20 which is slidably received over the prongs 3 of the peg 1'. Referring to Figure 7C, the retainer 10 element 20 comprises a plate 22 configured with holes 24 extending therethrough, each hole receiving a respective prong 3 therethrough. The peg l' is identical to the peg 1 though comprises stops 4 formed at distal ends of the prongs 3, the stops 4 being arranged distal of the element 20 and sized and shaped so as to be unable to pass through the holes 24, thereby retaining the element on the prongs 3. The element 3 is slidable along 15 the prongs 3 between a proximal end of the prongs 3, at which it allows the prongs 3 to assume their divergent condition, and the distal end of the prongs 3, at which it holds the distal ends adjacent each other, and thus the prongs 3 in general alignment, for installation of the device 50. Displacement of the element 20 from the proximal ends to the distal ends may be effected either by forcing the element 20 along the prongs 3, such that it draws the 20 prongs inwardly as it moves therealong, or squeezing the pair of prongs 3 to align the prongs 3, thereby enabling substantially unconstrained movement of the element 20 along the prongs 3 which is effected either by hand or by orientating the device 50 upright such that the element 20 drops to the distal end 20 under gravity. 25 Referring to Figure 8, the pegging device 50 is installed by driving the peg ', in the manner previously described in relation to the peg 1, consistent with Figure 6, to force the prongs 3 into the ground, the prongs 3 thus sliding through the retainer element 20, which is held stationary against/by the ground surface. As the prongs 3 are driven further into the ground, the resilient bias exerted by head 5 urges the prongs 3 laterally outwardly, into 30 increasingly tight compressive engagement with the earth to provide strong anchorage, consistent with the peg 1. Again, the peg 1' may, consistent with conventional pegs, be C \NRPonb\DCC\AZM\458992_L DOC-3 IAJ/2012 -9 coupled to the item it is to anchor either before or after the prongs 3 are driven into the ground. Manufacture of the peg I or ' comprises drawing a spring steel wire rod through a 5 drawing machine to reduce its size from 6.0mm wire to 5.1mm or " 4 gauge ", so as to reduce the rod to an appropriate cross-sectioned area for optimum spring tension and to work the metal, via an annealing process, to increase its tensile strength. The rod is then cut to a predetermined overall length, then, with reference to Figure 8, 10 placed in a hydraulic wire shape-forming machine which incorporates custom-made inner and outer moulds suiting the rod diameter and desired end shape to form the peg 1. The machine is operated to press/sandwich the rod around moulds, and, more particularly, between inner and outer moulds, to form the rod into the shape of the peg 1. Generally speaking, portions of the peg 1 must be pressed beyond the positions they occupy in the 15 relaxed peg as fully formed, to compensate for resilience of the material from which the peg 1 is formed. In the case of the peg 1', the stops 4 are formed after the retainer element 20 is fitted to the prongs 3. The ends of the rod are sharpened, either before or after the shape forming procedure to 20 form the tips. A peg 1" according to the further preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8. The same reference numerals as have been used in respect of the peg 1 are used to denote and refer to the same or corresponding features of the peg 1". In 25 the case of this embodiment, the rod from which the peg 1" is formed is bent to the extent of being helically wound so as to be configured with a coil 6 intermediate its ends, the coil defining a head 5 of the peg 1", the head 5 being configured with an eye 8 which, unlike that in the peg 1, is defined by helical windings of the rod and thus circumferentially closed. In this embodiment, the windings 6 defined a helical torsion spring, which, when 30 the prongs 3 are squeezed towards each other, tightens, giving rise to a resilient bias which, when the prongs 3 are received in the ground, urges the prongs 3 laterally outwardly to C:NRPonb\DCC\AZM\4578992_ .DOC-3 M1/2012 - 10 contribute to the anchorage. It will be appreciated that the peg " may, consistent with peg I', be combined with a retainer as previously described to form a pegging device embodying the invention. 5 In another embodiment of the invention, one of the prongs of the peg may be longer than the other whereby the distal end of the longer prong can be driven into the ground/other medium and the shorter prong, with its distal end remaining exposed, then moved, against the resilient bias, into general alignment with the longer prong for subsequent driving of both prongs into the ground/other medium, the longer prong thus serving as a locator. 10 In any of the embodiments, the peg may be surface-treated. For example, it may be galvanised, powder coated and/or painted with a high-visibility coating. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should 15 be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. 20 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (37)

1. A peg comprising prongs which are interconnected at a trailing end of the peg and diverge therefrom, the peg being configured such that the prongs can be urged, against a 5 resilient bias, into general alignment in order to be driven into the ground.

2. A peg according to claim 1, being elastically deformable to permit the prongs to be urged into general alignment. 10

3. A peg according to claim I or 2, wherein the number of prongs is two.

4. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, being of single-piece construction. 15

5. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, configured in the form of a length of rod or bar which, between ends thereof, is bent or is formed with at least one bend whereby said trailing end is defined.

6. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein comprising an eye at 20 the trailing end.

7. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a torsional spring is defined at the trailing end, the spring being arranged to flex when the prongs are urged into general alignment to effect said bias. 25

8. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, being bent from a length of rod, bar or wire.

9. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, being formed from steel. 30

10. A peg according to claim 9, wherein the steel comprises spring steel. CANRPorblDCC\A2M\4578992 DOC-31A/2012 - 12

11. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prongs are configured with pointed and/or sharp tips to facilitate driving of the prongs into the ground.

12. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trailing end opens 5 in a direction towards a leading end of the peg, such that a gap is defined between proximal ends of the prongs.

13. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prongs and trailing end lie in a common plane. 10

14. A peg according to any one of claims I to 11, being configured with at least one winding at the trailing end.

15. A peg according to claim 14, wherein a torsional spring is and/or an eye is defined 15 by the winding(s).

16. A peg according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the prongs is longer than the other(s) whereby the distal end of the longer prong can be driven into the ground/other medium and the or each shorter prong, with its distal end remaining exposed, 20 then moved, against the resilient bias, into general alignment with the longer prong for subsequent driving of both/all prongs into the ground/other medium, the longer prong thus serving as a locator.

17. A pegging device comprising: 25 a peg according to any one of the preceding claims; and a retainer which engages the prongs and is movable therealong between a first position, at which it permits the divergence of the prongs, to a second position, at which it holds the prongs, against the bias, in general alignment, the device being configured such that the retainer in the second position is receivable against the ground, to be arrested 30 thereby, as the prongs are driven into the ground. C \NRPrblDCC\AZM\457S992_L DOC-3!3/2012 - 13

18. A pegging device according to claim 17, wherein the prongs are slidably received by the retainer.

19. A pegging device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the prongs extend through 5 the retainer.

20. A pegging device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the retainer comprises a plate. 10

21. A pegging device according to claim 20, wherein the plate is configured with an opening or respective openings through which the prongs are received.

22. A pegging device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the prongs are configured to preclude displacement of the retainer beyond the second position in the 15 direction from the trailing end to a leading end of the peg.

23. A pegging device according to claim 22, wherein the prongs are configured with stops past which the retainer cannot be displaced beyond the second position in the direction from the trailing end to the leading end. 20

24. A method of manufacturing a peg according to any one of claims I to 16, comprising bending an elongate piece of material to define the trailing end.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein bending is effected by means of a wire 25 shape-forming machine.

26. A method according to dlaim 24 or 25, wherein the elongate piece comprises rod, bar or wire. 30

27. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the piece is drawn. C \NRPonbI\DCC\AZMIA578992_1 DOC-I IA)8l5212 - 14

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the drawing of the piece is effected before bending thereof.

29. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the material comprises 5 metal.

30. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the metal comprises spring steel. 10

31. A peg installation method, comprising: providing a peg according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and with the prongs of the peg in general alignment and distal ends thereof leading, driving the peg such that the prongs are received in ground or another medium. 15

32. A pegging device installation method, comprising providing a pegging device as defined in any one of claims 17 to 23, in which the retainer is in or near the second position; and driving the peg, with distal ends of the prongs leading, such that the prongs are received in ground or another medium and the retainer abuts the ground/other medium to 20 be arrested thereby such that the prongs are displaced axially with respect to the retainer.

33. A method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the trailing end is, before the peg is driven fully into the ground, coupled to an item which the peg is to anchor. 25

34. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the peg is installed such that a plane in which the prongs lie is arranged transverse or generally perpendicular to the ground surface and in general alignment with, or generally parallel to, a direction in which the peg is to apply tension to what it is installed to anchor. 30

35. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein one of the prongs of the peg is longer than the other(s), the method comprising driving the distal end of the longer C \NRPortbhDCC\AZM1W578992_ .DOC-3 1/0/2012 - 15 prong into the ground/other medium, thereby locating the peg for installation, and then, with the distal end of the or each shorter prong, remaining exposed, moving the shorter prong(s), against the resilient bias, into general alignment with the longer prong and then driving both/all prongs into the ground/other medium to install the peg. 5

36. In combination: a peg according to any one of claims I to 16; and instructions or directions for installing the peg via a peg installation method according to claim 31 or any one of claims 33 to 35 as appended thereto. 10

37. In combination: a pegging device according to any one of claims 17 to 23; and instructions or directions for installing the pegging device via a pegging device installation method according to claim 32 or any one of claims 33 to 35 as appended 15 thereto.