GB2442807A

GB2442807A - Insertion device

Info

Publication number: GB2442807A
Application number: GB0620316A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-13
Filing date: 2006-10-13
Publication date: 2008-04-16
Also published as: GB0620316D0

Abstract

An insertion device 10 for inserting an elongate member 12, such as a garden cane, into the ground comprises a gripping arrangement 14 for gripping the elongate member 12 and a foot engaging member 16 to permit the application of an insertion force to the elongate member 12 via the gripping arrangement 14.

Description

Insertion Device The present invention relates to an insertion device,

and more particularly to an insertion device for inserting an elongate member into the ground.

There is often a need to insert elongate members, such as garden canes, into the grot:ind when gardening, for example to support plants and similar articles being grown. It can, however, be difficult to insert garden canes and the like into the ground, especially where the ground is hard. The situation is made more difficult due to the fact that garden canes and the like are difficult to grip using the hands.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insertion device for inserting an elongate member into the ground, the insertion device comprising a gripping arrangement for gripping the elongate member and a foot engaging member to permit the application of an insertion force to the elongate member via the gripping arrangement.

The elongate member may be a cane, typically as used for gardening purposes, and the insertion device may thus operate as a cane insertion device.

The gripping arrangement may be movable between a release position and a gripping position. When the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position, it may grip an elongate member for insertion into the ground.

Relative movement between the elongate member and the gripping arrangement may thus be prevented when the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position.

The gripping arrangement may include a pair of gripping plates. The gripping plates may be generally parallel to each other and spaced apart when in the gripping position to thereby define a gripping jaw therebetween.

The gripping plates may be non-parallel when in the release position. The gripping plates may be pivotatly movable relative to each other between the release and gripping positions.

Each gripping plate may include a generally planar gripping surface.

Each gripping surface may include a resilient material to enhance the grip between the gripp1n plates and the eloFigate riiérnber viher the rlpping plates are in the gripping position.

The gripping arrangement may include first and second support arms on which the gripping plates may be mounted. The first and second support arms may be pivotally movable relative to each other. The gripping plates may be mounted on the first and second support arms such that relative pivotal movement of the support arms provides said relative pivotal movement of the gripping plates between the release and gripping positions.

The gripping arrangement may be adjustable such that the distance between the gripping plates may be varied, and in particular such that the distance between the planar gripping surfaces, when the gripping plates are in the gripping position, may be varied. One or both of the gripping plates may be adjustably mounted on the respective first or second support arm such that the distance between the gripping plates, in particular when the gripping plates are in the gripping position, may be varied.

Both the first and second support arms may be genera'ly elongate. The foot engaging member may extend from a lower end of the first support arm.

The foot engaging member may include a generally elongate foot engaging portion which may extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the first Support arm. The foot engaging member may be rigidly secured to the lower end of the first support arm.

The second support arm may be pivotally mounted on the foot engaging member. The second support arm may be pivotally mounted about a lower end thereof on the foot engaging member. The second support arm and associated gripping plate may thus be pivotally movable relative to the first support arm and its associated gripping plate to thereby permit movement of the gripping plates between the release and gripping positions.

The first suport arm may include retaining man for fètairiThg n elongate member to be inserted into the ground in contact with the associated gripping plate on the first support arm. The retaining means may be arranged to retain an elongate member generally parallel to the first support arm and generally parallel to its associated gripping plate. The retaining means may comprise a retaining clip, and possibly a plurality of retaining clips spaced along the first support arm.

Both the first and second support arms may include handles at respective upper ends thereof to facilitate said relative pivotal movement of the first and second support arms, and hence movement of the gripping plates between the release and gripping positions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an insertion device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the device of Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the device of Figs. 1 and 2 in difterent positions showing how the device can be used to insert a garden cane.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown generally an insertion device for inserting an elongate member 12, such as a garden cane or the like, into the ground. The device 10 comprises a gripping arrangement 14 for gripping the elongate member 12 and a foot engaging member 16 tO permit the application of an insertion force to the elongate member 12 via the gripping arrangement 14 to thereby enable insertion of the elongate member 12 into the ground.

In more detail, the gripping arrangement 14 comprises first and second generally elongate support arms 18, 20 towards the lower ends 1 8a, 20a of 1 5 which are mounted respectively first and second gripping plates 22, 24 defining the rebetween a gripping jaw 25.

The foot engaging member 16 extends from the lower end 18a of the first support arm 18 in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. As best seen in Fig. 3, the foot engaging member 16 is generally L-shaped and includes a mounting portion 1 6a, which is rigidly secured to the first support arm 18 at its lower end 1 8a using suitable fasteners 26, and a foot engaging portion 1 6b.

The second support arm 20 is pivotally mounted at its lower end 20a on the foot engaging member 16, and in particular on the foot engaging portion 1 6b thereof. Relative pivotal movement of the first and second support arms 18, 20 thus causes relative pivotal movement of the associated first and second gripping plates 22, 24 between a release position, shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, in which planar gripping surfaces 22a, 24a of the gripping plates 22, 24 are non-parallel, and a gripping position, shown in Figs. 2 and 5, in which the planar gripping surfaces 22a, 24a are generally parallel and spaced apart.

In order to ensure that an adequate gripping force can be applied to the elongate member 12 via the gripping plates 22, 24, handles 28 are provided at the upper ends 1 8b, 20b of the first and second support arms 18, 20. These handles 28 must be spaced by a sufficient distance from the gripping plates 22, 24 to ensure that a sufficient gripping force can be applied by an average user. In embodiments of the invention, a distance in the order of 0.8m between the handles 28 and the centre of the first and second gripping plates 22, 24 has been found to be suitable. This also ensures that a user can comfortably use the insertion device 10 without the need to bend over unduly.

In order to further enhance the grip between the gripping plates 22, 24 and the elongate member 12 when the gripping plates 22, 24 are in the gripping position, resilient material 30, such as rubber or the like, is provided on the planar gripping surfaces 22a, 24a. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient material 30 has a ribbed surface to further increase the friction between the resilient material 30 and the elongate member 12, thereby further improving grip.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and 5, when the gripping plates 22, 24 are in the gripping position, the distance between the gripping surfaces 22a, 24a must generally be slightly less than the width or diameter of the elongate member 12 to be gripped so that the resilient material 30 can be deformed slightly to thereby ensure that an adequate gripping force can be applied to the elongate member 12. In order to accommodate elongate members 12 having different diameters or widths, the distance between the gripping plates 22, 24, when they are in the gripping position, may be varied.

As best seen in Fig. 3, in embodiments of the invention, the second gripping plate 24 is mounted on the second support arm 20 via elongate threaded members 32 which project through apertures in the second support arm 20. Threaded nuts 34 are located on each of the threaded members 32 on either side of the second support arm 20, and by loosening and tightening these threaded nuts 34, the distance by which the second gripping plate 24 projects from the second support arm 20 may be varied, thereby enabling the distance between the gripping plates 22, 24, when they are in the gripping position, to be readily varied.

In order to reduce the risk of injury to a person using the device 10, it will be seen that the exposed ends of the threaded members 32 are covered by protective sleeves 38, for example formed of rubber. These may be easily removed to permit adjustment in the manner described above.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, an aperture 36 in the foot engaging portion 16b of the foot engaging member 16 provides an alternative pivotal mounting point for the lower end 20a of the second support arm 20. Thus, in situations where the second gripping plate 24 cannot be retracted sufficiently towards the second support arm 20 to enable a large diameter or width elongate member 12 to fit between the gripping plates 22, 24 when in the gripping position, the alternative pivotal mounting point provided by the aperture 36 can be used.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the first support arm 18 includes retaining means in the form of resilient retaining clips 40 spaced along the first support arm 18. The retaining clips 40 are operable to retain an elongate member 12 to be inserted into the ground, by an essentially snap-fit action, in a position generally parallel to the first support arm 18 and in a position generaliy parallel to! and in contact with, the first gripping plate 22. They thus enable an elongate member 12 to be inserted into the ground to be easily loaded into the insertion device 10 and retained in position before the gripping plates 22, 24 are moved into the gripping position.

Referring to Fig. 4, in use an elongate member 12, such as a garden cane, is initially loaded into the insertion device 10 with the first and second gripping plates 22, 24 in the release position. The gripping plates 22, 24 can be moved into the initial release position by pivotally moving the first and second support arms 18, 20 in a direction away from each other, using the handles 28. The elongate member is located in the retaining clips 40 such that a lower portion 12a of the elongate member 12, to be initially inserted into the ground, extends below the foot engaging portion 16b of the foot engaging member 16. The elongate member 12 is securely retained in the position in which it is loaded into the device 10 by virtue of the resiliency of the retaining clips 40.

Once the elongate member 12 has been loaded into the device 10, the handles 28 are moved in a direction towards each other to pivotally move the first and second support arms 18, 20 towards each other, and to thereby pivotally move the gripping plates 22, 24 from the release position to the gripping position in which they firmly grip the elongate member 12, as shown in Fig. 5. In the event that the elongate member 12 is of a diameter or width which is too large or too small to enable it to be firmly gripped between the gripping plates 22, 24, the distance between the gripping plates 22, 24, when in the gripping position, can be adjusted in the manner explained above.

With the elongate member 12 firmly gripped between the first and second gripping plates 22, 24, a lower end 12b of the elongate member 12 can be located on the surface of the ground and the foot (not shown) of a user placed on the foot engaging portion 1 6b of the foot engaging member 16. By applying a downwards force to the foot engaging portion 1 6b using the foot, the lower portion 1 2a of the elongate member 12 can inserted into the ground since the insertion force provided by the foot is transmitted through the gripping plates 22, 24 to the firmly gripped elongate member 12.

In order to release the elongate member 12, the handles 28 are moved away from each other to pivotally move the first and second support arms 18, 20, and their associated gripping plates 22, 24, away from each other and thereby move the gripping plates 22, 24 to the release position. The elongate member can then be readily released from the retaining clips 40.

If there is a need to insert the elongate member 12 further into the ground1 which will often be the case, the partially inserted elongate member 12 can again be gripped at a higher location and the above steps repeated to grip it and insert it further. This can be repeated until a sufficient amount of the éiongàte member 12 has béé inserted into the ground.

There is thus provided an insertion device 10 which makes the insertion of elongate members 12, such as garden canes, into the ground much more straightforward.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that various modifications to the examples given may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the insertion device 10 may be used to insert any form of elongate member 12 into the ground, and is not limited to use with garden canes. The elongate member may thus be of any cross-sectional shape, and the device 10 is not limited to use with elongate members 12 of circular cross-section.

The first gripping plate 22 may be adjustably mounted on the first support arm 18, either as an alternative to, or in a similar manner to, the second support plate 24, thus providing further adjustability of the distance between the gripping plates 22, 24 when in the gripping position.

The resilient material 30 may comprise a material other than rubber.

The resilient material 30 does not necessarily have to include a ribbed surface.

Any suitable means may be employed for adjusting the distance between the gripping plates 22, 24, when in the gripping position, to enable elongate members 12 of differing diameter or width to be firmly gripped thereby.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it hóuld be Uhdtood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

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Claims 1. An insertion device for inserting an elongate member into the ground, the insertion device comprising a gripping arrangement for gripping the elongate member and a foot engaging member to permit the application of an insertion force to the elongate member via the gripping arrangement.
2. An insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping arrangement is movable between a release position and a gripping position.
3. An insertion device according to claim 2, wherein when the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position, it is operable to grip an elongate member for insertion into the ground, relative movement between the *5** elongate member and the gripping arrangement being prevented when the 1 5 gripping arrangement is in the gripping position. S...

SI....
4. An insertion device according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping arrangement includes a pair of gripping plates. *I.. * S S...
5. An insertion device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the gripping plates are generally parallel to each other and spaced apart when in the gripping position to thereby define a gripping jaw therebetween.
6. An insertion device according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gripping plates are non-parallel when in the release position.
7. An insertion device according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the gripping plates are pivotally movable relative to each other between the release and gripping positions.
8. An insertion device according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein each gripping plate includes a generally planar gripping surface.
9. An insertion device according to claim 8, wherein each gripping surface includes a resilient material to enhance the grip between the gripping plates and the elongate member when the gripping plates are in the gripping position.
10. An insertion device according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the gripping arrangement includes first and second support arms on which the gripping plates are mounted.
11. An insertion device according to claim 10, wherein the first and second support arms are pivotally movable relative to each other.
12. An insertion device according to claim 11, wherein the gripping plates 1 5 are mounted on the first and second support arms such that relative pivotal *S.. . . movement of the support arms provides said relative pivotal movement of the * gripping plates between the release and gripping positions. * *
13. An insertion device according to any of claims 4 to 12, wherein the ***.

gripping arrangement is adjustable so that the distance between the gripping plates may be varied
14. An insertion device according to claim 13, wherein one or both of the gripping plates is adjustably mounted on the respective first or second support arm such that the distance between the gripping plates may be varied.
15. An insertion device according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein both the first and second support arms are generally elongate.
16. An insertion device according to claim 15, wherein the foot engaging member extends from a lower end of the first support arm.
17. An insertion device according to claim 16, wherein the foot engaging member includes a generally elongate foot engaging portion which extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the first support arm.
18. An insertion device according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the foot engaging member is rigidly secured to the lower end of the first support arm.
19. An insertion device according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the second support arm is pivotally mounted on the foot engaging member
20. An insertion device according to claim 19, wherein the second support arm is pivotally mounted about a lower end thereof on the foot engaging member. S... * .
21. An insertion device according to any of claims 10 to 20, wherein the first support arm includes retaining means for retaining an elongate member S.....

* to be inserted into the ground in contact with the gripping plate on the first support arm. *. * . S.:.
22. An insertion device according to claim 21, wherein the retaining means are arranged to retain an elongate member generally parallel to the first support arm and generally parallel to its associated gripping plate.
23. An insertion device according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the retaining means comprises one or more retaining clips.
24. An insertion device according to any of claims 11 to 23, wherein both the first and second support arms include handles at respective upper ends thereof to facilitate said relative pivotal movement of the first and second support arms.
25. An insertion device substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
26. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. * * * *** ***. * . ri.. *.. * * * .

S

*.S.*. * S * *** * . S...