Ground point

Abstract

To provide a ground point which is safe and gentle to the environment.SOLUTION: A ground point is formed using a biodegradable material, and includes a pile to be entirely buried into the ground at a predetermined depth, and a marker fitted to the pile and having a part appearing on the ground surface. The marker has a cord-like shape, and is fitted to the pile by being continuously inserted into an odd number of through holes formed on the trunk of the pile at intervals in the vertical direction. The trunk of the pile is formed with a groove-shaped recess along the longitudinal direction, and is buried into the ground by engaging the cord-like marker with the recess.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to ground points, and particularly to considerations for safety and the environment.

Background Art

[0002] A ground point is a type of sports equipment installed on the ground such as a playground or a stadium. A user uses the markers of the ground point as a guide to draw lines on the ground.

[0003] There are various types of ground points. Generally, they are composed of a pile portion fixed to the ground and a visible marker portion on the ground surface. The pile portion has various shapes such as a nail shape or a peg shape, and is typically made of metal. The marker portion is formed of a string, a rubber tube, or the like.

[0004] There are problems with ground points being forgotten to be removed, the marker portion coming off and the location of the pile becoming unknown, and being left buried in the ground for a long time. Sometimes, multiple metal piles are left buried in the ground. In such cases, for example, due to an earthquake or heavy rain, the upper part of the pile may accidentally protrude above the ground surface, and if one does not notice it, there is a concern of tripping or getting injured. Also, since the metal piles are left, it is not good for the environment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its object is to provide a safe and environmentally friendly ground point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The gist of the present invention is as follows. (1) The ground point of the present invention is characterized by comprising a pile formed using a biodegradable material and entirely embedded in the ground at a predetermined depth, and a marker attached to the pile, a part of which appears on the ground surface. (2) The marker is in a string shape and is attached to the pile by continuously passing it through a plurality of through holes formed at intervals in the vertical direction in the body portion of the pile. (3) A groove-shaped recess is formed along the longitudinal direction in the body portion of the pile, and the string-shaped marker is engaged in this recess and embedded in the ground.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, since the pile for fixing the marker to the ground is formed using a biodegradable material and the entire pile is configured to be embedded in the ground, even if it is forgotten to be removed or the marker part comes off and the location of the pile becomes unknown, and it is left buried in the ground, it will be biodegraded and naturally returned. As a result, danger can be avoided and the impact on the environment can also be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the ground point according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limitedly construed by the embodiments described below.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the ground point 1 of the present embodiment includes a marker 2 and a pile 3 for fixing the marker 2 to the ground G. A preferred example of the marker 2 is a string. As the string, those formed by shaping a resin such as polyethylene or vinyl into a string shape, those formed by braiding resin fibers, those formed by braiding natural fibers, rubber strings, etc. can be used. Alternatively, it may be tube-shaped such as a rubber tube. That is, any flexible string shape is acceptable, and there is no particular limitation on its material and the like. As a preferred example, it is preferably formed of a biodegradable material. The marker 2 is preferably colored, such as red, blue, yellow, green, white, etc., so as to be visible. Further, in order to enhance visibility, it may include a highly conspicuous color such as yellow, orange, or red in whole or in part.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pile 3 is generally formed in a linear shape with a substantially rectangular cross-section as a whole. Further, by tapering the tip portion 3a, it can be driven into the ground. A plurality of through holes 31 for attaching the string-shaped marker 2 are provided in the body portion 3b of the pile 3. By providing two or more through holes 31, the marker 2 can be prevented from coming off without attaching metal fittings, staples, etc. to the pile 3. As an example, the through holes 31, which are marker attachment holes, are formed in an odd number at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 3b. The preferable number of the through holes 31 is three. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the string-shaped marker 2 is passed through the lower through hole 31, the middle through hole 31, and the upper through hole 31 in this order at one end, and pulled tightly so as not to loosen, thereby attaching it to the pile 3 as shown in FIG. 3. The through holes 31 may be two or more even numbers, but in that case, the string-shaped marker 2 will be located on the same side of the side surface of the pile 3, so an odd number is more preferable. However, even if it is an odd number, if there is only one, the marker 2 may easily come off from the pile 3, and conversely, if there are five or more, the whole pile 3 may become long, so three is preferable.

[0013] Furthermore, a groove-shaped recess 32 is provided in the body portion of the pile 3 along the longitudinal direction. The recess 32 is formed so as to face the side surface of the pile 3 where the opening of the through hole 31 is located, with the central axis interposed therebetween. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the string-shaped marker 2 can be engaged with the recess 32, and the pile 3 can be easily embedded in the ground. The recess 32 is preferably arc-shaped in the short side direction, but may be elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, or the like. It is preferable to provide the recess 32, but it may be omitted. Conversely, it may be formed on other side surfaces and the number may be increased to reduce the volume of the pile 3.

[0014] The pile 3 is formed using a biodegradable material. As the biodegradable material, a biodegradable resin, also referred to as biodegradable plastic, or a biodegradable biomaterial, etc. is used. Preferably, those confirmed to be biodegradable by the soil biodegradability test (ISO17556) are used. Although it is preferable to form the entire pile 3 from 100% biodegradable material, it does not necessarily have to be 100% biodegradable material. An example of the biodegradable biomaterial is a cellulose material derived from cotton. Note that the selection of the biodegradable material is preferably determined by assuming the period in which the pile 3 will be decomposed. As an example, although differences may occur due to influences such as soil and temperature, those that decompose within the range of about 1 to 5 years are selected. When it is desired to decompose it earlier, a material that decomposes around 1 year is selected.

[0015] As an example, the physical properties of the biodegradable material preferable as the material of the pile 3 are as follows: specific gravity (JIS-K7112) is 1 to 1.5, flexural strength (JIS-K7171) is 35 to 120 MPa, tensile strength (JIS-K7161) is 25 to 85 MPa, and Charpy impact value (JIS-K7111) is 4.5 to 25 kj / m 2 and so on.

[0016] The pile 3 may be colored with a masterbatch, for example, and there is no limitation on the color. Further, the surface of the pile 3 may be colored. Also in this case, it is preferable to select a colorant having biodegradability.

[0017] As an example, the size of the ground point 1 is as follows: the length of the pile 3 is 60 mm, the width on the side where the opening of the through hole 31 appears is 10 mm, the width in the direction in which the through hole 31 extends is about 8 mm, the length of the tip portion 3a is 20 mm, and the length of the body portion 3b is 40 mm. The through hole 31 has a diameter of 5 mm and a center pitch of 12 mm. The center of the upper through hole 31 is located 8 mm from the upper end of the pile 3. The recess 32 is about R4 mm. The string-shaped marker 2 has a length of 300 mm and a diameter of 5 mm.

[0018] Next, the procedure for installing the ground point 1 with the above-described configuration on the ground G will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Prior to installation, attach the marker 2 to the pile 3 (see FIG. 2). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, make a pilot hole 4 in the ground, for example, about 100 mm deep and 10 mm in inner diameter, and insert the pile 3 into the pilot hole 4. By providing the groove-shaped recess 32 and engaging the marker 2 with the recess 32, it becomes easier to fit according to the diameter of the pilot hole 4. The pilot hole 4 is formed, for example, with a drill or the like. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, apply the driving rod 41 to the upper part of the pile 3 and hit the upper part of the rod 41 with a hammer 42 or the like to drive the pile 3 into the ground. It is preferable that the entire pile 3 is embedded to a predetermined depth from the surface of the ground G at its upper end. An example of the predetermined depth is that the upper end of the pile 3 is 10 mm or more, preferably 50 mm or more, from the surface of the ground G. When the embedding of the pile 3 is completed, fill the pilot hole 41 with soil to bury the pile 3. The markers 2, for example, each have a length of about 100 mm and two of them appear on the ground surface.

[0019] The user can use this marker 2 as a landmark, for example, draw a line by line drawing or use it as a starting point during alignment. Alternatively, it can be used to place objects or as a landmark for a range or the like. However, it is free to use it as any landmark.

[0020] Since the ground point 1 uses a biodegradable material for the pile 3, it is advisable to remove it from the ground and store it after use. If the pile 3 and the marker 2 are in good condition, they can be reused. Although it may be left installed on the ground G for a certain period, it is advisable to check the condition at a predetermined cycle to avoid forgetting to remove it.

[0021] According to the above-described embodiment, by providing the pile 3 formed of a biodegradable material and entirely embedded in the ground to a predetermined depth, even if it is forgotten to be removed or the marker 2 comes off and the location becomes unknown, it will biodegrade and return to nature, so the integrity of the ground G is ensured and it is also environmentally friendly. The through hole 31 can fix the marker 2 and can also reduce the volume of the pile 3 to promote biodegradation. The same applies to the recess 32.

[0022] Although a preferred example of the shape of the pile 3 has been described, the shape of the pile 3 can be appropriately changed. For example, it may be in the shape of a nail, a peg, or the like.

[0023] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail according to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, changes, etc. in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the description of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0024] 1 Ground point 2 Marker 3 Pile 31 Through hole 32 Concave portion G Ground

Claims

1. A pile formed of a biodegradable material and entirely embedded in the ground to a predetermined depth, and a marker attached to the pile, a part of which appears on the ground surface, characterized by a ground point.

2. The ground point according to claim 1, wherein the string-shaped marker is attached to the pile by continuously passing it through a plurality of through holes formed at intervals in the vertical direction in the body of the pile.

3. The ground point according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a groove-shaped recess is formed along the longitudinal direction in the body of the pile, and the string-shaped marker is engaged with the recess and embedded in the ground.

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